One hundred and seventy-five years ago John Roebling’s persistence in his desire to try iron wire rope instead of hemp rope for the Allegheny Portage Railways’ ten steep inclines, started wire rope on its long and colorful history. The Allegheny Portage Railroad opened in 1834 as part of the Pennsylvania Mainline Canal running between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, the state’s answer to New York opening its own famous Erie Canal. Charles Dickens even penned a contemporary account of travel on the railroad in a chapter of his American Notes. Read more on page 34 in SlingMakers Magazine.