January 30

Commissioned to support growing trade and travel, the original bridge provided the first direct road connection between Pennsylvania and New Jersey at Trenton. Known colloquially as the ‘Trenton Makes the World Takes’ bridge after later signage, it became a vital artery for industrial transportation. Its opening facilitated movement of goods, bolstering local economies on both riverbanks. The structure laid the groundwork for future rail and highway expansions in the region. Today, its legacy endures as an icon of early American infrastructure.

In 1826, eminent engineer Thomas Telford inaugurated the Menai Suspension Bridge, recognized as the world's first modern suspension bridge. Spanning approximately 176 meters across the Menai Strait, it linked the Isle of Anglesey to mainland North Wales for the first time. Telford's design employed wrought iron chains suspended from tall masonry towers, a pioneering approach in bridge construction. Prior to its opening, ferry crossings were vulnerable to storms and tides, often causing dangerous delays. The new crossing drastically reduced travel times and enhanced trade, communication, and mobility in the burgeoning Industrial Revolution. Today, the Menai Suspension Bridge stands as a testament to early 19th-century engineering ingenuity and innovation.