International
French spy turned engineer behind Sydney Opera House magic dies
French spy turned engineer behind Sydney Opera House magic dies
April 08, 2019 | 09:57 AM
A former French spy hailed as a genius for an engineering feat that made building the Sydney Opera House possible has died aged 97, officials said Monday.
Joe Bertony -- one of the original engineers of Australia's most recognisable building -- handwrote 30,000 separate equations to create the "erection arch" or truss which held the concrete sails in place during construction."Bertony was a remarkable man who will be remembered as the inventor of the Sydney Opera House's mobile erection arch," Sydney Opera House chief executive Louise Herron said in a statement.The Opera House, which opened in 1973, is billed as Australiatarget="_blank"'>The Opera House, which opened in 1973, is billed as Australia's number-one tourist destination and is the country's busiest performing arts centre.
April 08, 2019 | 09:57 AM