Titanic
1912
In 1912, Titanic was the largest and most luxurious passenger ship ever built. An unknown crew member was reported saying, “God himself could not sink this ship!” Titanic was designed using the latest in marine technology. It featured a double-plated bottom and sixteen watertight compartments with doors that would close should water enter. But the devil’s in the details, and she was undone by the poor quality of the three million little rivets that held the ship together. The rivets shattered upon impact with an iceberg, and more than 1500 people perished as the ship sank to the bottom of the ocean.
Additional info:
University of Illinois - Mechanical Science & Engineering- Titanic Material Failure