Tacoma Narrows Bridge Destruction

This video shows historical footage of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge wobbling and eventually collapsing on November 7, 1940. The bridge, nicknamed “Galloping Gertie,” was a suspension bridge in Washington State whose dramatic destruction due to aeroelastic flutter became one of the most famous engineering failures in history. The footage was filmed by Barney Elliot and later preserved in the Prelinger Archives as part of public domain media.

License / Public Domain Status for U.S. Users:
This video has been released explicitly into the public domain. The Prelinger Archives made it available under a public domain dedication, meaning it may be used for any purpose, including unrestricted redistribution, commercial use, and modification. Under U.S. law, works released into the public domain or works created before current copyright terms apply (such as this 1940 footage) are free of copyright restrictions in the United States.

Reuse Notes:

Public domain material may be used freely for any purpose, including commercial use and modification.

Attribution to Barney Elliot / Prelinger Archives or historical context is recommended for transparency and good practice.