How one little boat (and me) held up miles of London traffic at Tower Bridge

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  • Опубліковано 8 сер 2021
  • Tower Bridge is a tourist attraction these days: but first and foremost, it's a working, lifting bridge. And river traffic comes first. • Thanks to the Tower Bridge team: they have details of their tours here: www.towerbridge.org.uk/
    Produced by: Cambria Bailey-Jones
    Edited by: Guy Larsen
    Camera: Jamie MacLeod
    2nd Unit Camera: Jimmy Blake
    Drone Director: Matthew Bateman
    Drone Operators: Ian Hunter, Phil Conrad
    A Penny4 Production: www.penny4.co.uk
    Filmed safely: www.tomscott.com/safe/
    REFERENCES:
    Corporation of London (Tower Bridge) Act 1885, vlex.co.uk/vid/corporation-of...
    Hansard debate on Tower Bridge 1970, hansard.parliament.uk/Commons...
    🟥 MORE FROM TOM: www.tomscott.com/
    (you can find contact details and social links there too)
    📰 WEEKLY NEWSLETTER with good stuff from the rest of the internet: www.tomscott.com/newsletter/
    ❓ LATERAL, free weekly podcast: lateralcast.com/ / lateralcast
    ➕ TOM SCOTT PLUS: / tomscottplus
    👥 THE TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES: / techdif

КОМЕНТАРІ • 3,9 тис.

  • @TomScottGo
    @TomScottGo  2 роки тому +39692

    It's very rare that drones are allowed close to Tower Bridge, and also very rare that anyone outside the Tower Bridge organisation gets to push the buttons - so thank you very much to everyone involved in making this video happen!

  • @ovinophile
    @ovinophile 2 роки тому +3310

    Holding up the U.S. President’s motorcade by raising Tower Bridge sounds like part of a terrorist kidnapping plot straight out of a movie.

    • @LadyLexyStarwatcher
      @LadyLexyStarwatcher 2 роки тому +113

      Instead we got a lovely letter thanking them for the spectacle.

    • @CaptNSquared
      @CaptNSquared 2 роки тому +160

      @@LadyLexyStarwatcher The terrorists were to distracted looking at the bridge to kidnap the president.

    • @MrVickesson
      @MrVickesson 2 роки тому +10

      @@yt45204 vilken film? :)

    • @MasterHigure
      @MasterHigure 2 роки тому +13

      @@yt45204 Jönssonligan? It sounds very much like them.

    • @AltonV
      @AltonV 2 роки тому

      @@MasterHigure yes

  • @jimmyb101
    @jimmyb101 2 роки тому +7015

    I love what the tower operator says at the end "Done this hundreds of times, and I still get a kick out of it" Great job Tom

  • @alexb8433
    @alexb8433 2 роки тому +1900

    Tom: You ever tempted to just raise it when slow walkers are on it?
    Bridge Operator: The law REQUIRES I answer no

    • @ezekiel0606
      @ezekiel0606 2 роки тому +29

      is this from the incredibles?

    • @taylrthegreat
      @taylrthegreat 2 роки тому +28

      Or in the words of mighty keef, not legally but yes

  • @chrisbduck1938
    @chrisbduck1938 2 роки тому +8131

    I feel like this would be a good plot device in a heist movie. Hire a tall boat and block the target by raising the bridge.

    • @stephencolbourne44
      @stephencolbourne44 2 роки тому +285

      Never mind movie

    • @flooku987
      @flooku987 2 роки тому +117

      Payday 2?

    • @henrikericsson
      @henrikericsson 2 роки тому +314

      Was a plot point in one of Jönssonligan. They put a flagpole on a sailboat

    • @tommihommi1
      @tommihommi1 2 роки тому +140

      Money transports and such know the schedule ahead of time and avoid getting stopped by the bridge

    • @skrimper
      @skrimper 2 роки тому +167

      @@tommihommi1 well duh, it would be a rogue boat. They wouldn't know it was coming until it was too late and they have to raise it so it doesn't collide

  • @carolleader5436
    @carolleader5436 2 роки тому +7060

    love that this was uploaded as tower bridge is currently stuck

    • @randaranatunga7259
      @randaranatunga7259 2 роки тому +440

      “Coincidence?……. I think not”

    • @ToppyTree
      @ToppyTree 2 роки тому +341

      Tom must be trying to boost the views

    • @safe-keeper1042
      @safe-keeper1042 2 роки тому +519

      "Oh, we got this amateur to do the lift part and now the bloody thing doesn't work."

    • @woutervanr
      @woutervanr 2 роки тому +278

      Ha, well then the ending "Right, how do we get this back down" is very fitting 😂

    • @foobars3816
      @foobars3816 2 роки тому +64

      Tom pushed the button wrong!

  • @LG-jb9zs
    @LG-jb9zs 2 роки тому +1258

    "so what do you do for a living?"
    "I drive a bridge."
    "You drive across a bridge?"
    "No, I drive the bridge."

    • @FeedsNoSliesMusic
      @FeedsNoSliesMusic 2 роки тому +33

      I feel like that's something more interesting to tell people about than it is to do.

    • @Liggliluff
      @Liggliluff 2 роки тому +17

      With a joystick

    • @Zraknul
      @Zraknul 2 роки тому +14

      I have a large console of buttons and a joy stick. No I'm not talking about Euro Bridge simulator 4.

  • @pmcburn1
    @pmcburn1 2 роки тому +1204

    I absolutely love the interface design:
    You literally hit the buttons left to right in order. Just a really simple user design.

    • @Great_King_Rat
      @Great_King_Rat Рік тому +88

      Probably designed by a Bridge Driver, instead of some £4k/hour "Consultant"...

    • @dellekom
      @dellekom Рік тому +12

      Actially a dial with steps might be more logical as all steps depend on each other

    • @Niamh9902
      @Niamh9902 Рік тому +2

      @@Great_King_Rat probably an engineer

    • @VoxelLoop
      @VoxelLoop 6 місяців тому +4

      @@dellekom Also from a software developer perspective, all the buttons being an identical colour and shape with a label distinguishing them is usually a bad idea. :)

    • @ziggybadans
      @ziggybadans 5 місяців тому +3

      Yep this is exactly how passenger jet plane controls work too! For most operations when setting up the plane you just go left to right, top to bottom.

  • @oliverc1293
    @oliverc1293 2 роки тому +2909

    Tom, have you just released this video at the exact moment that Tower Bridge is stuck open and causing massive delays? Surely this can't be...

    • @tomepsilon
      @tomepsilon 2 роки тому +128

      It's called timing

    • @grass904
      @grass904 2 роки тому +57

      @@deadaccount2048 shut up

    • @plagah
      @plagah 2 роки тому +36

      @@deadaccount2048 shut up

    • @diamondpi4121
      @diamondpi4121 2 роки тому +33

      @@deadaccount2048 stop

    • @noah4822
      @noah4822 2 роки тому +5

      @@plagah let him have his fun

  • @MedlifeCrisis
    @MedlifeCrisis 2 роки тому +29998

    Tower Bridge is currently stuck open. I refuse to believe this a coincidence and cannot possibly comment on the allegations that Tom is secretly Lord Commander of Bridges and Yeoman of London Traffic.

    • @YourPhysicsSimulator
      @YourPhysicsSimulator 2 роки тому +1601

      "There are no accidents"
      - Master Oogway

    • @woutervanr
      @woutervanr 2 роки тому +1556

      This is just one of the many steps in Tom's easy 1337 point plan to take over the world. Don't worry, it's already too late to stop him anyway.

    • @Vonononie
      @Vonononie 2 роки тому +947

      “Technical failure” is actually Tom furiously pressing the button

    • @calebosborn9527
      @calebosborn9527 2 роки тому +170

      That's crazy. it actually is.

    • @GmodPlusWoW
      @GmodPlusWoW 2 роки тому +307

      It's kinda hilarious that it happened shortly after Tom posted this video.
      Alexa, play Frolic by Luciano Michelini.

  • @jorgedlatorre
    @jorgedlatorre 2 роки тому +529

    Tom: "Right, how do we get this back down?"
    International news: "London’s Tower Bridge stuck open after technical failure, causing traffic disruptions"

    • @chelsey8737
      @chelsey8737 2 роки тому +12

      I immediately came to check and see if anyone said anything about it! So funny 🤣

    • @sydssolanumsamsys
      @sydssolanumsamsys 2 роки тому

      even the proffessionals don't know

  • @kakarotz9296
    @kakarotz9296 2 роки тому +127

    I used to be a London tour guide. When we did coach or bus tours it was considered extremely lucky to be caught as the bridge was being raised, the tourists love it. we would take the tourists out of the bus onto the pavement to take photos (very naughty I know) but you were almost guaranteed a tip when you got to the Tower of London.

  • @samtherat6
    @samtherat6 2 роки тому +3627

    Tom’s timing is so fortunate. The last time the bridge was stuck was a year ago. Now it’s very likely that his video will gain more traffic as people look up the bridge and how it works due to this incident.

    • @redryder3721
      @redryder3721 2 роки тому +199

      "More traffic". Heh heh, I see what you did there.

    • @ryshow9118
      @ryshow9118 2 роки тому +159

      Sometimes you've got to make the algorithm work for you, even if that means *accidentally" dropping a wrench in a draw bridge 🤣

    • @vigilantcosmicpenguin8721
      @vigilantcosmicpenguin8721 2 роки тому +12

      @@redryder3721 Traffic causes traffic.

    • @Karmy.
      @Karmy. 2 роки тому +1

      You're still everywhere huh

    • @jasbails9857
      @jasbails9857 2 роки тому

      "Planning"

  • @Mogi.
    @Mogi. 2 роки тому +13356

    I was half hoping Tom somehow parked a small boat under the bridge while trying to recording a video and somehow managed to hold up traffic

  • @badgamedevreacts3855
    @badgamedevreacts3855 2 роки тому +97

    3:50 I wish more people understood that this applies to many fields, so many think that some jobs are easy like this or even a pilot, then they say something like "you get paid 50k to press buttons all year?! Sign me up!" When in reality the job is 100x more complicated and the reason why you get paid 50k is because you have years of experience that will make sure you can fix stuff when things go wrong.

  • @Rider0fBuffalo
    @Rider0fBuffalo 2 роки тому +120

    I love how there is a joystick and not up and down buttons. Also how they determine 45 degrees with the iron works is awesome.

    • @weeardguy
      @weeardguy 2 роки тому +13

      I guess that the joystick provides a more gentle start and stop in hardware instead of a rather complex electronic solution to get the motors to start and stop gently.

    • @weberman173
      @weberman173 Рік тому +6

      holding a joystick is easier then keeping a button pressed down on the human, among having mor gradual controll if needed

    • @Ihaveagasmask
      @Ihaveagasmask Рік тому +2

      When I saw the joy stick I was thinking of someone using it like an arcade

    • @TheOtherBill
      @TheOtherBill Рік тому +1

      @@Ihaveagasmask Like playing pinball with the Giant Asteroid of Death.

  • @yusufkhan-ig7dv
    @yusufkhan-ig7dv 2 роки тому +12787

    Tom: "I'm terrified I've pressed a wrong button"
    News a few hours later: Tower Bridge stuck in open position after "technical failure"

    • @JonatasAdoM
      @JonatasAdoM 2 роки тому +814

      "We're having Technical Difficulties"

    • @ThatSux
      @ThatSux 2 роки тому +199

      That's timing .. 🤷🏻‍♂️👍

    • @king999art
      @king999art 2 роки тому +131

      @@JonatasAdoM ok, give this person biscuits!

    • @theunknown4834
      @theunknown4834 2 роки тому +27

      A few hours ealier**

    • @monochromedevdle5697
      @monochromedevdle5697 2 роки тому +72

      @@JonatasAdoM *** M Y S T E R Y B I S C U T S ***

  • @WolfXGamerful
    @WolfXGamerful 2 роки тому +1599

    At least Tom showed the bridge going back down. Otherwise this would be quite the funny story of how Tom unintentionally broke Tower Bridge.

    • @abarratt8869
      @abarratt8869 2 роки тому +242

      Nah, his clip of it "closing" is just the clip of it opening played backwards. It's Tom's desparate attempt to not get blamed...

    • @Gurfi28
      @Gurfi28 2 роки тому +15

      „Unintentionally“ i refuse to believe that

    • @mishXY
      @mishXY 2 роки тому +8

      One of the most underrated coincidences of a millennium for sure

    • @mishXY
      @mishXY 2 роки тому +3

      @@Gurfi28 how did you do the lower version of " ? Not even with a German keyboard would I know that.

    • @AlexusMaximusDE
      @AlexusMaximusDE 2 роки тому +11

      So, how do we get this back down? *Curb your enthusiasm theme starts playing* - *screenshots of new articles about the stuck bridge are being shown while the theme plays* - *roll CYE credits*

  • @arkhykatenka
    @arkhykatenka 2 роки тому +99

    I'm from St. Petersburg and we have 12 drawn bridges in the city, it's a big tourist attraction too. But they are drawn according to a schedule and always at night (for most of the night though, with short breaks), so the boats and ships just have to wait until that time if they can't fit under the closed bridge during the day and the cars have to wait until closing gaps at night. It also only happens during summer, because, well, in the winter Neva is frozen.

  • @ethanhobbs7278
    @ethanhobbs7278 2 роки тому +300

    It’s said that Tom still hadn’t figured out how to get tower bridge back down

  • @Em0srawk
    @Em0srawk 2 роки тому +3219

    Lame villain idea: As an owner of a large boat, they periodically send demands to the local council for money, threatening to exercise their right of way and mildly inconvenience city goers by making them have to wait for the bridge if their demands aren't met.

    • @joeyverliesharen
      @joeyverliesharen 2 роки тому +181

      @@farmingthetnt8081 yes, that's the point. It is completely legal for them to cause traffic jams with all the associated economic consequences, and the only way to stop them, is to to meet their demands.

    • @f_f_f_8142
      @f_f_f_8142 2 роки тому +123

      @@joeyverliesharen intent matters, it is perfectly legal to cross with the goal to get to the other side, it is not legal to cross with the goal of creating disruption. That also holds for pedestrians using traffic lights. In Germany it is even illegal to drive around in your car without a purpose.

    • @adrianroed2178
      @adrianroed2178 2 роки тому +116

      @@farmingthetnt8081 Lease a large boat and plan routes through the bridge as often as possible. Once complaints start coming in, start a gofundme page for a smaller, better boat that won't need the bridge lifted to move through.
      Now you've done nothing illegal if people decide to support you in your endeavor to get a smaller boat.

    • @XaviMacBash
      @XaviMacBash 2 роки тому +12

      wheres Gary Brannan when you need him

    • @toledoseahawks3348
      @toledoseahawks3348 2 роки тому +12

      @@f_f_f_8142 It is only illegal inside city limits.

  • @Nuskrad
    @Nuskrad 2 роки тому +390

    "Right, how do we get this back down?"
    That's what half of London is asking right now

    • @amahlaka
      @amahlaka 2 роки тому +2

      🤣😅

    • @SeanBZA
      @SeanBZA 2 роки тому

      Very, very carefully I would hope.

    • @Robinthefox88
      @Robinthefox88 2 роки тому

      I would say give it a bit of time, maybe a cold shower coming in from the north, and if it hasn't gone down after 4 hours go see a doctor. :D

  • @ianmcnaney6528
    @ianmcnaney6528 2 роки тому +75

    I love the last question: "How do we get this back down?" That's the million dollar question. They'll let you know when they've figured it out.

  • @MinifigJez
    @MinifigJez 2 роки тому +460

    PLEASE tell me that it was Tom’s lift that had the technical failure causing the bridge to be stuck open for hours yesterday.
    (Although with editing time, I guess this was actually shot days or even weeks ago)
    Would have been a great ending to the video if it HAD been him !

    • @dh2032
      @dh2032 2 роки тому +8

      I was wounding that also watch news link, and then see tom's video, hum, that seems to much of a coincidence to me? ¯\(°_o)/¯

    • @loreleihillard5078
      @loreleihillard5078 2 роки тому +21

      I'd assume this was filmed ahead of time

    • @sasmalprasanjit2764
      @sasmalprasanjit2764 2 роки тому +1

      It's Still Stuck

    • @n646n
      @n646n Рік тому +1

      Unfortunately no.

  • @beek.4860
    @beek.4860 2 роки тому +3738

    Tom is living all of our childhood dreams. Pressing big buttons to lift drawbridges, climbing wind turbines, filming volcanoes, making fireworks...

    • @QuantumLeclerc
      @QuantumLeclerc 2 роки тому +171

      Blowing up manhole covers, going on expeditions to find Icelandic islands, swimming in powerplant waste water, etc

    • @MrFriendlyCsgoContent
      @MrFriendlyCsgoContent 2 роки тому +36

      @@QuantumLeclerc shame it cost thousands if not hundreds of thousands to do all of it

    • @lilacbuni
      @lilacbuni 2 роки тому +13

      The only one I've done is gone up a wind turbine (from inside) on a school trip

    • @mutantmutant8534
      @mutantmutant8534 2 роки тому +3

      @@lilacbuni lucky

    • @lilacbuni
      @lilacbuni 2 роки тому +7

      @@mutantmutant8534 i guess but we were very scared, it shakes violently inside and is very loud but the view at the top is amazing

  • @Greendotz
    @Greendotz 2 роки тому +4639

    Tom puts out a video about Ocado's automated packing robots, two weeks later one of the robots shorts out and causes a fire in the warehouse. Tom puts out a video of him raising Tower Bridge (which was clearly shot a while ago) and within 24 hours Tower Bridge is stuck open. Clearly the Tom Scott curse is real.

    • @kaboomgaming4255
      @kaboomgaming4255 2 роки тому +375

      what's next?! Launching a satellite but it explodes?

    • @crocodile2006
      @crocodile2006 2 роки тому +484

      Next Episode: How I accidentally caused the nuclear holocaust

    • @joeyoest1105
      @joeyoest1105 2 роки тому +177

      Curse? What if it's all a grand plan a la Unbreakable? Maybe Tom's orchestrating these technical disasters looking for someone worthy of taking the tech-communicator reins.

    • @Geert2682
      @Geert2682 2 роки тому +184

      we also haven't heard from Iceland in a while

    • @adrianthoroughgood1191
      @adrianthoroughgood1191 2 роки тому +244

      "If this pump ever breaks down part of Germany will be flooded" "Damn you Tom Scott!"

  • @yeahBradley
    @yeahBradley 2 роки тому +62

    "I've done hundreds of lifts and I still get a buzz out of it." How could you not? I would be giddy every time I got to push those buttons and see the bridge lift up.

    • @adrianthoroughgood1191
      @adrianthoroughgood1191 2 роки тому +5

      I've got a 6ft x 12ft electric rolling gate and it gives me a kick to stand at an upstairs window and press the button on the remote and watch it go!

  • @KieranRogers1
    @KieranRogers1 2 роки тому +23

    I have a feeling that laughing no after you asked him if he's ever tempted was actually a "yes, but I'll lose my job if I say that"

  • @FlashMan16NG
    @FlashMan16NG 2 роки тому +2367

    "It takes years of training to be a bridge operator" I believe it. Not because it's actually a difficult job, most of that time is spent training yourself to resist the urge NOT to raise the bridge when the worlds slowest pedestrians are walking over it.

    • @thegardenofeatin5965
      @thegardenofeatin5965 2 роки тому +186

      Before you're allowed to be in charge of the draw bridge, you have to be bored with it.

    • @misham6547
      @misham6547 2 роки тому +77

      Surprise bike jump ramp?

    • @JonatasAdoM
      @JonatasAdoM 2 роки тому +30

      @@misham6547 If you miss there is a river below. That could work.

    • @karl-erlendmikalsen5159
      @karl-erlendmikalsen5159 2 роки тому +42

      @@JonatasAdoM But a concrete slab held up with a steel beam right ahead. That works less.

    • @isoroxuk
      @isoroxuk 2 роки тому +5

      Or when Meatloaf is driving a bus

  • @DanAI17
    @DanAI17 2 роки тому +3889

    I love that you're allowed to delay thousands of people moving in the country's capital so that one small sailing boat can travel at most 900m up the river. The pinnacle of British right of way laws.

    • @Hoaxe72
      @Hoaxe72 2 роки тому +122

      God I love Britain

    • @OhSome1HasThisName
      @OhSome1HasThisName 2 роки тому +81

      hopefully it breaking down today won't cause any changes to that law

    • @jonathanbott87
      @jonathanbott87 2 роки тому +86

      In Chicago we have a number of draw bridges and one includes a subway line on the upper deck - the bridge is actively raised, and the trains get a red light and have to wait.

    • @draknusdesderdus7506
      @draknusdesderdus7506 2 роки тому +73

      This law is the same here in America. Bridge designers just design around it nowadays.

    • @marshallsuber3346
      @marshallsuber3346 2 роки тому +15

      Money always come before people. Thus is the way of the world.🤑

  • @DanielFernandez
    @DanielFernandez 2 роки тому +67

    The vertical road reminds me a bit of Inception.

  • @papusman
    @papusman 2 роки тому +17

    This is the kind of stuff I love this channel for: a common occurrence you take for granted, that actually has a ton of thought and infrastructure put behind it.

  • @TheAgamemnon911
    @TheAgamemnon911 2 роки тому +1927

    "How do we get this back down?" Tom asks...
    Apparently, we don't.

    • @thegardenofeatin5965
      @thegardenofeatin5965 2 роки тому +82

      I notice the video went mighty quiet at that point.

    • @JonatasAdoM
      @JonatasAdoM 2 роки тому +22

      @@thegardenofeatin5965 Indeed it ended right at that moment.

    • @acasccseea4434
      @acasccseea4434 2 роки тому +40

      Ha! The news this morning was Tom Scott might have broke the bridge!

    • @pdrg
      @pdrg 2 роки тому +6

      I suspect that'll be Tom Scott's next film...

    • @aquual1462
      @aquual1462 2 роки тому +25

      The funny thing is tha the bridge got stuck the next day after the video release

  • @Hiro-sh5ke
    @Hiro-sh5ke 2 роки тому +687

    'If you've got the bridge up in the air and it breaks down'
    Couldn't be better timed.

  • @Nhatanh0475
    @Nhatanh0475 2 роки тому +4

    6:42 I like that little blue boat. Just passing by.

  • @hierismail
    @hierismail 2 роки тому +16

    5:20 I think this is the most malicious thing Tom has ever and will ever say. I loved the giddiness; I felt it despite the masking of the giant grin.

    • @user-xw4mu6nz4t
      @user-xw4mu6nz4t 2 роки тому

      Someone clearly hasn't watched some of his older videos...

  • @ScienceofLoud
    @ScienceofLoud 2 роки тому +5616

    As the timing is incredibly convenient I'd like to know:
    Did Tom bring the scheduling of this video forward to capitalise on trending traffic upon hearing news that Tower Bridge is currently stuck open?
    It's just too good to be a coincidence

    • @typemasters2871
      @typemasters2871 2 роки тому +582

      Most likely coincidence because it looks like the video was available for supporters about a week before

    • @adamallcorn8762
      @adamallcorn8762 2 роки тому +48

      Yo lmao, did not expect to see you here
      Nice

    • @kubak3381
      @kubak3381 2 роки тому +109

      This video has been recorded on the 17th of July so it's rather unlikely that they'd be waiting that long to release just a 7min video

    • @krmr
      @krmr 2 роки тому +7

      Fancy seeing you here!

    • @HowP88
      @HowP88 2 роки тому +61

      @@typemasters2871 surely if it was already available for supporters it is less likely to be a coincidence as it is easier to bring the public release forward than to rush the final production 🤔

  • @DuncanEllis
    @DuncanEllis 2 роки тому +493

    I greatly appreciate Tom's obvious joy at getting to push the buttons.

  • @JustTooSalty
    @JustTooSalty 2 роки тому +26

    I can't believe you caused it to be stuck open. Classic Tom.

  • @TheOnlyPommyman
    @TheOnlyPommyman 2 роки тому +3

    That's amazing. You are so lucky. I was once lucky enough to work inside the Melbourne Westgate bridge and that was an experience I'll never forget, but nothing like this. Thanks for showing us what goes on.

  • @gunjandua4028
    @gunjandua4028 2 роки тому +667

    "Are you ever tempted to just started raising at this point?"
    *nervous chuckling* "no"

    • @twistedtachyon5877
      @twistedtachyon5877 2 роки тому +77

      Heh. Falls nicely into the category of "jokes engineers don't make".

    • @Zraknul
      @Zraknul 2 роки тому +20

      "I would like to keep my job, so I'm going to say no"

    • @koenven7012
      @koenven7012 6 місяців тому

      Due to a misunderstanding years ago, I'm now legally obliged to say 'No'.

  • @Jeb.07
    @Jeb.07 2 роки тому +1020

    I love how casual the interactions between Tom and his recording crew and these workers are. It always feels like they’re just talking to an old mate about their job.

    • @ianshaliczer
      @ianshaliczer 2 роки тому +165

      Tom has a remarkable talent for finding people with really interesting jobs who are all really enthusiastic about them, but probably never get much of a chance to talk about them.
      Tom also has a real gift for interviewing people, the perfect mix of respectful deference to their expertise, a casual conversational style that gets even the most taciturn people to open up, and a great ear for translating technical jargon into everyday language.
      I want to live in a world where Tom Scott has a half-hour series on the BBC.

    • @uknowngamer1017
      @uknowngamer1017 2 роки тому +12

      It reminds me of dirty jobs, just less dirty and with a younger, better haired, Mike rowe

    • @vigilantcosmicpenguin8721
      @vigilantcosmicpenguin8721 2 роки тому +13

      _That's_ what makes Tom Scott videos what they are.

    • @tylerphuoc2653
      @tylerphuoc2653 2 роки тому

      @@uknowngamer1017 And also, he's never been a correspondent on PragerU, while the dirty jobs guy sure has

    • @iankemp1131
      @iankemp1131 2 роки тому

      @@ianshaliczer Spot on!

  • @tasty_fish
    @tasty_fish 2 роки тому +49

    Love that river traffic still has priority to get to such a short stretch of water up to the next bridge and that it’s still governed by an act of Parliament. In a world that’s slowly becoming homogenised and sterilised it’s great to still have quirks like that.

  • @iamlikemex
    @iamlikemex 2 роки тому +34

    Can we bring back the park bench purely to talk about this and it’s terrifying coincidence in timing with the bridge being stuck open?

  • @LegoEngineer003
    @LegoEngineer003 2 роки тому +289

    I love how often they mentioned how bad it would be for the bridge to be stuck, and then the bridge got stuck today

    • @sankang9425
      @sankang9425 2 роки тому +2

      Tom Scott, Lord of the Bridges

  • @scsutton1
    @scsutton1 2 роки тому +393

    And now Tower Bridge is stuck open. There's timing and then there's this.

    • @gordonrichardson2972
      @gordonrichardson2972 2 роки тому +26

      Plot twist: Tom filmed this weeks ago, and just made it public today. Well, that's my version...

    • @kllrnooooova
      @kllrnooooova 2 роки тому

      Wait what? What happened?

    • @notdarklord9227
      @notdarklord9227 2 роки тому +3

      @@kllrnooooova the tower bridge is stuck in the open position

    • @mutantmutant8534
      @mutantmutant8534 2 роки тому +9

      @@kllrnooooova tower bridge had a malfunction the exact time this was posted and is now stuck open

    • @sade1212
      @sade1212 2 роки тому +10

      @@gordonrichardson2972 Isn't that how all of Tom Scott's videos are made?

  • @areamusicale
    @areamusicale 2 роки тому +4

    Goddammit, Tom! You broke it! Did you see the news today (August 10)? The bridge got stuck open.

  • @hotelmario510
    @hotelmario510 2 роки тому

    This is one of the best videos on this entire channel. So many camera angles, so much detail, so joyful. Love it.

  • @samtherat6
    @samtherat6 2 роки тому +1115

    Description: “It’s a working, lifting bridge.”
    Release time: *lemme stop you right there*

    • @mutantmutant8534
      @mutantmutant8534 2 роки тому +19

      Lifting bridge yes working bridge no

    • @kennarajora6532
      @kennarajora6532 2 роки тому +1

      I noticed that as well.

    • @electron8262
      @electron8262 2 роки тому +8

      It definitely is a bridge that opens, it's just not a bridge that closes anymore.

  • @rufusgreenleaf2466
    @rufusgreenleaf2466 2 роки тому +519

    I can imagine one day Tom will tour the International space station. This chap will go far.

    • @SC-RGX7
      @SC-RGX7 2 роки тому +8

      Can't wait

    • @66Kusmu
      @66Kusmu 2 роки тому +42

      International Space Station space station

    • @rufusgreenleaf2466
      @rufusgreenleaf2466 2 роки тому +11

      @@66Kusmu I'll edit, never noticed 🤣

    • @bnw5435
      @bnw5435 2 роки тому +25

      And get the airlock stuck open

    • @gnaskar
      @gnaskar 2 роки тому +30

      "You'd have to charter a rocket... So I charted a rocket"

  • @alex0589
    @alex0589 2 роки тому +1

    Very much appreciate the production value and the fact that the bridge never came back down after you posted this.
    Such a youtube gem this channel is.

  • @unknownlucaa1010
    @unknownlucaa1010 2 роки тому +4

    5:30
    Tom:Terrified i pushed the wrong button
    Few hours later:Bridge being jammed

  • @MaxTheDragon
    @MaxTheDragon 2 роки тому +3080

    Tom's worst nightmare:
    Tom: Right, how do we get this back down?
    Bridge guy: We can't. You pressed the wrong button and now it'll stay up for all eternity, cause of you.

    • @RegitYouTuber
      @RegitYouTuber 2 роки тому +206

      Onosecond

    • @shambhav9534
      @shambhav9534 2 роки тому +40

      @@RegitUA-camr I wonder who really had the onosecond.

    • @3rdJan
      @3rdJan 2 роки тому +31

      why would such a button even exist lmfao

    • @LiewLmao
      @LiewLmao 2 роки тому +5

      @@RegitUA-camr A wild Regit
      …takes me back

    • @synergous571
      @synergous571 2 роки тому +1

      @@LiewLmao i didnt even notice, i used to play a lot of battle cats

  • @noiceplayer144
    @noiceplayer144 2 роки тому +187

    Tom: you ever tempted to just start raising it at this point?
    Bridge operator: *laughs nervously* *no*

  • @Correc7edAura
    @Correc7edAura 2 роки тому

    You seriously have one of the most entertaining, knowledgeable, and fun channels out there. You show things people wouldn't normally see and you show people very important jobs that people have that don't get enough recognition and praise for how important it really is. Great video and thank you for sharing!

  • @K0ALA.
    @K0ALA. 2 роки тому +4

    This is a crazy coincidence that this video is uploaded on the 9th August and that main UK news on the 9th August, is that Tower Bridge is stuck open

  • @Lucasys
    @Lucasys 2 роки тому +289

    I thought this would be a real-time "How I broke Tower Bridge" video. Impeccable timing.

  • @evan
    @evan 2 роки тому +4749

    The shots in this are gorgeous. Camera quality is *chef’s kiss*

    • @asadsquirrel1314
      @asadsquirrel1314 2 роки тому +25

      Fancy seeing you here, Mr I Don’t Like Sugar Puffs

    • @Yamezzzz
      @Yamezzzz 2 роки тому +39

      Have you seen the headline news? The bridge has been stuck open for over 12 hours. Biggest incident ever at the bridge.
      No traffic has crossed all day yesterday.
      Can't be a coincidence.

    • @teologen
      @teologen 2 роки тому +33

      @@Yamezzzz This video was available more than a week ago for supporters. It’s a coincidence. Coincidences happens quite often, actually.

    • @ytlurker220
      @ytlurker220 2 роки тому +18

      I wish to believe it's a case of causation, not correlation, because... It's Tom Scott.

    • @gwenynorisu6883
      @gwenynorisu6883 2 роки тому +5

      @@ytlurker220 it's actually an incredibly elaborate setup for a question in a new TechDif series...

  • @lemonbrothers3462
    @lemonbrothers3462 2 роки тому

    your videos are so simple yet always so amazing, it's a joy to watch everytime!

  • @kimmycassie
    @kimmycassie 2 роки тому

    This was so amazing to see! It was so simple yet really great.

  • @choo_choo_
    @choo_choo_ 2 роки тому +3272

    This has probably got to be the highest honor able to be bestowed among a British citizen.
    Forget being knighted, it's not like Patrick Stewart got to raise Tower Bridge.

    • @kilted_scottish_laddie864
      @kilted_scottish_laddie864 2 роки тому +58

      I mean for people who are In southern England sure, not too sure about Scottish or Wales citizens would care too much lmao

    • @bencarpendale
      @bencarpendale 2 роки тому +11

      @@kilted_scottish_laddie864 but wales is in the south
      just not south east

    • @kilted_scottish_laddie864
      @kilted_scottish_laddie864 2 роки тому +25

      @@bencarpendale and ? still a different country ?when I say south it’s essentially Londoners.

    • @bencarpendale
      @bencarpendale 2 роки тому +12

      @@kilted_scottish_laddie864 well yes but I live in Bristol which is right next to wales and still in the south of England

    • @choo_choo_
      @choo_choo_ 2 роки тому +4

      @@kilted_scottish_laddie864 They obviously don't count. Just like it wouldn't count for an Aussie. Take your pedantism somewhere else.

  • @lukas8152
    @lukas8152 2 роки тому +330

    "Right, how do we get this back down"
    short answer: they didn't

  • @royer6626
    @royer6626 2 роки тому +5

    As a videographer & editor for 30 years, excellent job!

  • @stuearth5076
    @stuearth5076 2 роки тому

    I used to work in an office near there, and would look up the bridge opening times so I knew when to look out the window and see it opening. I also once had the pleasure of going through it on a barge, it must be so cool to operate the bridge opening mechanism! Great video.

  • @unnaturallynatural8885
    @unnaturallynatural8885 2 роки тому +240

    Guy holding up the baby to see the boat clearer is adorable

    • @MrSam4850
      @MrSam4850 2 роки тому +9

      Meanwhile, the baby is wondering what the hell is going on...

    • @vigilantcosmicpenguin8721
      @vigilantcosmicpenguin8721 2 роки тому +8

      I think it's adorable that there are so many people gathering to watch it.

    • @iankemp1131
      @iankemp1131 2 роки тому +1

      And great to have the extra filming to capture these moments, not just the control room shots.

  • @MegaLoflof
    @MegaLoflof 2 роки тому +454

    I was so surprised that the actual action of lifting the bridge is done via a *joystick*!
    Humanity has managed to make lifting a bridge for boats to cross under it into the closest approximation of a video game it can get.

    • @rebmcr
      @rebmcr 2 роки тому +97

      Joysticks were invented to control machines. Video games only adopted them much later.

    • @woutervanr
      @woutervanr 2 роки тому +50

      I seem to recall US subs or something else militairy to be (partly) operated with xbox controllers...

    • @Mike-ukr
      @Mike-ukr 2 роки тому +12

      @@woutervanr tanks

    • @goldenghostinc
      @goldenghostinc 2 роки тому +10

      What would happen if you push the joystick left or right? 🤔

    • @Mike-ukr
      @Mike-ukr 2 роки тому +10

      @@goldenghostinc It probably only goes up and down

  • @foxyang7634
    @foxyang7634 2 роки тому

    after watching it, all I want to say is THANK YOU ! This is amazing one!

  • @hstdriver6616
    @hstdriver6616 2 роки тому +7

    Amazing, had no idea the bridge operators actually controlled the speed and raise angle with a joystick. Just assumed that once they started the sequence it raised automatically to a predetermined speed and angle.
    Last time I saw the bridge raise in person was a couple of years ago. Just happened to be at the Tower of London with the kids for a day out. Had no idea it was going to happen but it was the icing on the cake for the kids!

  • @Lukemccarthy2011
    @Lukemccarthy2011 2 роки тому +200

    London news: _"Tower bridge is stuck open due to a technical fault."_
    Tom: Oh no. Maybe I was supposed to hold the buttons.⊙﹏⊙

    • @yanmorin5431
      @yanmorin5431 2 роки тому +27

      Or rather: "Tower bridge is stuck open due to technical difficulties."

    • @notthatcreativewithnames
      @notthatcreativewithnames 2 роки тому +11

      @@yanmorin5431 Mystery biscuits needed to help unstuck the bridge!

    • @vigilantcosmicpenguin8721
      @vigilantcosmicpenguin8721 2 роки тому +12

      @@yanmorin5431 If someone is to blame here, there may be cause for a criminal write-up. You know, a citation needed.

    • @LuizHartkopf
      @LuizHartkopf 2 роки тому

      @@notthatcreativewithnames hey step bridge, are you stuck?

  • @amicloud_yt
    @amicloud_yt 2 роки тому +233

    "Bridge Driver"
    what an absolutely absurd job title
    i love it

    • @onezerosevensix
      @onezerosevensix 2 роки тому +9

      what do you do for a living?
      its complicated..

    • @markfryer9880
      @markfryer9880 2 роки тому +5

      Well you have Crane Drivers.

    • @kairon156
      @kairon156 2 роки тому +7

      @@markfryer9880 I like the word operator better for both Crane and Bridge but I think that's just me.

    • @dcarbs2979
      @dcarbs2979 2 роки тому +6

      You can drive bridges at the airport. It's attached to a building but is technically a vehicle! (wheels, steering and transports passengers)

    • @amicloud_yt
      @amicloud_yt 2 роки тому +2

      @@dcarbs2979 good point! You can also be a Stairs Driver i suppose!

  • @blackrose4mChennai
    @blackrose4mChennai 2 роки тому

    Kids loved it!! Thank you team

  • @Pablo260492
    @Pablo260492 2 роки тому

    My favourite landmark in London ❤❤❤🇬🇧
    Thanks for sharing 👍🏻

  • @Epinardscaramel
    @Epinardscaramel 2 роки тому +56

    1:46 “But also, physics.” is a nice answer to unfeasible requests from upper management.

    • @zabintasrik4488
      @zabintasrik4488 2 роки тому

      I didn't like that answer, "if we don't raise the bridge, the boat will hit the bridge" clearly there can't be a way to control its movement right?

    • @stephenolan5539
      @stephenolan5539 2 роки тому

      @@zabintasrik4488
      On Star Trek the Next Generation Q once suggested changing the gravitational constant but that doesn't work in real life.
      You can't just get rid of a ship's momentum instantly.

    • @zabintasrik4488
      @zabintasrik4488 2 роки тому +1

      @@stephenolan5539 can't they request the raise before getting too close tho

    • @stephenolan5539
      @stephenolan5539 2 роки тому +1

      @@zabintasrik4488
      They request a day ahead.
      But they can't go to the bridge and stop then go when it us open. That would take too long.
      Now I'm wondering why the people looking after Clinton didn't know the bridge was going to be raised at that time.

    • @zabintasrik4488
      @zabintasrik4488 2 роки тому

      @@stephenolan5539 that makes a lot more sense tbh. Also same.

  • @randaranatunga7259
    @randaranatunga7259 2 роки тому +633

    Alternate title:
    Wholesome British fellow in a red shirt pleases a lot of people by pushing a button and helping them with traffic control
    (I’ve learnt that this is actually quite the spectacle and therefore edited it from “unpleases” to “pleases)

    • @tomepsilon
      @tomepsilon 2 роки тому +2

      Weird.

    • @turnonmyaxel
      @turnonmyaxel 2 роки тому +47

      tbh, most the pedestrians love it. If you are silly enough to cross the river at that bridge rather than London bridge down the road where there are so many tourist then you might as well enjoy the bridge lift they arent always that common

    • @ObadiahtheSlim
      @ObadiahtheSlim 2 роки тому +21

      A lot of tourists who didn't need to be anywhere in particular in any particular hurry were quite pleased. I go on vacation in an area with a draw bridge. If I don't have any particular need to get across that bridge, it's fun to watch it go up on the rare occasion that it does.

  • @alex_00730
    @alex_00730 2 роки тому +20

    I thought Tom might have been the guy who got it stuck upright, I would have laughed so hard

  • @jannicklange7318
    @jannicklange7318 2 роки тому +2

    The title. The timing. PERFECTION!

  • @Gloom-Rot
    @Gloom-Rot 2 роки тому +1462

    Tom was actually in the control room at Chernobyl when the meltdown started.

    • @face7288
      @face7288 2 роки тому +10

      facts

    • @alex0589
      @alex0589 2 роки тому +153

      "this button?"
      -tom

    • @RToast13
      @RToast13 2 роки тому +116

      "I am currently at the No. 4 reactor in the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, near the city of Pripyat in the north of the Ukrainian SSR in the Soviet Union."

    • @TypicallyThomas
      @TypicallyThomas 2 роки тому

      Nah a few years ago

    • @nrdesign1991
      @nrdesign1991 2 роки тому +18

      having a little onosecond in there

  • @Staarchild97
    @Staarchild97 2 роки тому +175

    The timing on this upload is impeccable.

  • @macbitz
    @macbitz 2 роки тому

    Actually one of the most interesting videos I've seen all year. Thank you!

  • @BonnoJ17
    @BonnoJ17 2 роки тому +1

    Quality content, as per usual. Love it, Tom!

  • @paulskinner
    @paulskinner 2 роки тому +56

    The utterly outstanding timing of releasing this video. It’s currently stuck open.

  • @uknowngamer1017
    @uknowngamer1017 2 роки тому +264

    The production value is noticeably going up, even when I thought it wasn't possible. By this I mean the cinematography, the interviews, it all flows smoother than the river shown. Amazing job Tom, hopefully you read this note :)

    • @Codraroll
      @Codraroll 2 роки тому +15

      And all the angles. How many cameras were involved with this, I wonder?

    • @baylinkdashyt
      @baylinkdashyt 2 роки тому +3

      I had the same thought; I think there were 7 or 8 cameras on this, including the iDangle and the drone.

    • @halgerson
      @halgerson 2 роки тому +1

      Not to mention the camera person with the fancy support rig.

  • @markhunterbrooks
    @markhunterbrooks 2 роки тому

    An entertaining and informative video. It should become a classic. Thanks for producing it!

  • @notoriousdip5495
    @notoriousdip5495 Місяць тому

    I’ve never had so much appreciation for the logistics and security that is applied, since what happened in Baltimore bridge collapse. It’s incredible the amount of work that goes into this.

  • @eumoria
    @eumoria 2 роки тому +802

    Starts on UA-cam: "My friend is going to throw drums off a small cliff."
    Here in 2021: "I'm operating Tower Bridge."
    I thought the lecture for the Royal Institution was peak science communicator stuff... It probably was but this is also amazing!

    • @gwenynorisu6883
      @gwenynorisu6883 2 роки тому

      Wait, when did the RI thing happen?

    • @laplongejunior
      @laplongejunior 2 роки тому +7

      @@gwenynorisu6883
      "There's no algorithm for Truth", but no idea about *when* it was recorded

    • @georgemangco2526
      @georgemangco2526 2 роки тому +2

      There was also a video about perpetual motion machine that the two did together. Well two videos, one on each channel.

  • @BlissBatch
    @BlissBatch 2 роки тому +257

    I totally get Tom's reaction-that looks ridiculously fun.

  • @a.m8858
    @a.m8858 2 роки тому

    I can't love the timing of this any more! Amazing video too :)

  • @filipefreitas5365
    @filipefreitas5365 2 роки тому

    I don't quite know why, but this video made me feel incredibly good today. Thank you!

  • @stevenjlovelace
    @stevenjlovelace 2 роки тому +71

    Next episode, Tom steers a giant container ship through the Suez Canal.

    • @GedMaybury23
      @GedMaybury23 2 роки тому +1

      Bwah-hah-hah!

    • @BRAWGWill
      @BRAWGWill 2 роки тому +1

      Wait until we find out Tom Scott also sank the Titanic

    • @GedMaybury23
      @GedMaybury23 2 роки тому

      @@BRAWGWill I can wait ....

  • @itsPoddington
    @itsPoddington 2 роки тому +195

    When Tom, started to raise the bridge even just watching I could feel the weight of what a simple task means. Raising and lowering a bridge sounds simple, but ensuring safety measures are completed and knowing the impact it has must get the nerves tingling just a bit.

  • @iankemp1131
    @iankemp1131 2 роки тому

    Good job Tom explained immediately what bascules were, it's one of those words where you might think for a moment "Is that rude?"

  • @mauree1618
    @mauree1618 2 роки тому

    That was awesome, thanks Tom!

  • @FlyntofRWBY
    @FlyntofRWBY 2 роки тому +455

    It's always the damn tourists holding up the bridge lifting, isn't it?

    • @electrostarjudge
      @electrostarjudge 2 роки тому +10

      Always. Also hello!

    • @ampersand64
      @ampersand64 2 роки тому +10

      WTF flynt of rwby fancy seeing you here.

    • @RubenGarcia-pt8tp
      @RubenGarcia-pt8tp 2 роки тому +15

      To be fair if you think about it the damn bridge lifting is also holding up the tourists

    • @vodkawhisperer3923
      @vodkawhisperer3923 2 роки тому

      whats up checkmark

    • @neolexiousneolexian6079
      @neolexiousneolexian6079 2 роки тому +3

      Y'all should supercharge the drawbridge so you can catapult them into France.

  • @cheddar1266
    @cheddar1266 2 роки тому +190

    Tom Scott's videos feel ilke I'm sitting down in class to watch a lecture, except it's enjoyable to watch and I'm genuinely remembering the information

    • @tomepsilon
      @tomepsilon 2 роки тому +2

      ...which will never happen. That's why we're lucky to have Tom.

    • @Goffy
      @Goffy 2 роки тому +1

      🐢

    • @YourPhysicsSimulator
      @YourPhysicsSimulator 2 роки тому +5

      That's what real education trully is: making you feel interested in what you are learning and internalizing it

    • @randaranatunga7259
      @randaranatunga7259 2 роки тому +1

      @@tomepsilon exactly
      A true blessing from the lord

  • @amanullahkariapper2503
    @amanullahkariapper2503 Рік тому

    This guy is Boy #1.
    Thank you so much for this!

  • @skye2281
    @skye2281 2 роки тому

    I love your work, your preparation & your videos!

  • @breakingaustin
    @breakingaustin 2 роки тому +203

    "What do you do?"
    "I'm a driver"
    "Oh, What do you drive? Cars, trucks?"
    "Bridges"

    • @baldychkn2949
      @baldychkn2949 2 роки тому +5

      I'd consider that a massive flex

    • @woutervanr
      @woutervanr 2 роки тому +1

      Now that you point it out...why the f is it called a bridge "driver"?

  • @ShutInCuber
    @ShutInCuber 2 роки тому +176

    What makes these videos so good is that they’re literally mini documentaries.
    And I love me some documentaries, which makes these awesome to watch during short breaks.

  • @giualonso
    @giualonso 2 роки тому

    Oh my gosh that's SO COOL. I can't imagine how amazing that must be in real life!

  • @mactech1
    @mactech1 2 роки тому

    Thanks Tom! You get to do such cool stuff, that we, vicariously, get to do with you.