Galloping Gertie? Or Pioneer Stereo?

Have you ever seen a commercial that was awesome? One that you wish you could see again but for some reason never do? That's happened to me a few times. It's really frustrating because there are very few commercials that I actually like.

You've probably heard that you can find anything on the internet. I disagree. I disagree because I have been searching the internet in vain for more than 12 years looking for one particular commercial. I've tried every search engine I can think of. I've tried every video place I can think of. But I've come up empty handed every single time.

Until yesterday.

I found it.

Okay, this commercial might only be funny to Washingtonians, but I'm hoping I'm wrong. There is a bridge that spans the Tacoma Narrows between Gig Harbor and Tacoma, WA. It is called the Narrows Bridge. (Original name, huh?) Well, there are actually two bridges there now...but that's a major rant for another time.

I've been crossing this bridge most of my life. It's not a fun bridge to drive over regardless, but if you've ever heard of "Galloping Gertie" this bridge is REALLY not fun. Back when the bridge was originally built, the engineers didn't factor in the wind that crossed through the Narrows. I don't understand all the sciencey stuff, but there was a problem with the wind frequency and the bridge, and the original bridge collapsed. They left the remnants below, and built a new bridge. It's one of the two there now.

Anyway, there is some film footage of the first bridge as it fell during a windstorm. Here is a video from YouTube. There is no sound, so don't turn your speakers up...



If I remember my history correctly, there were no human fatalities when it happened. That's why I feel okay about laughing hysterically at this commercial - every time I see it - because no humans were harmed in the making of it.

What do you think? Was it Galloping Gertie or Pioneer's amazing bass that caused the bridge to collapse?