History of Bridges: Materials and Structural Types of a Monument to Progress

The history of bridges is retraced as a witness of humanity's progress. The evolution of materials and structural typologies has enabled ever-longer spans to be overcome at sustainable costs. The availability of materials, such as reinforced concrete and steel, has offered new possibilities, unthinkable using wood and masonry. Then girder bridges were built and later cable-stayed and suspension bridges but also long arch bridges. The race for long spans continues. Bridges have always been and always will be a monument to progress.