The Economic Times

In 1841, Squire Whipple found a cheaper way to build long iron bridges; more than 100 of his designs later crossed America's canals and growing railroad lines

In the early 1800s, Squire Whipple revolutionized bridge engineering with his mathematical approach. His creation, the Whipple truss bridge, ingeniously incorporated cast and wrought iron, making construction both economical and sturdy. Whipple published pivotal calculations that elevated bridge engineering to a refined science. Dishearteningly, he did not receive any financial reward from the State of New York for his innovations, yet his designs continue to inspire countless bridges.