The very first bridges that ever appeared were created by nature itself. Examples are a log falling across a river, or stones tumbling down from a mountain and into a river, creating a footpath people and animals alike could travel over. The first manmade bridges were simple structures, nothing more than wooden planks or logs arranged in a simple cross-beam configuration, oftentimes paired with woven fibers to help increase structural stability.
The oldest known arch bridge is located in Peloponnese, Greece. It is dated around the 13th-century B.C.E. The bridge was very simple, and not very elegant in terms of looks. Truly magnificent bridge-building only began once the Romans began building them. They build numerous arch bridges and aqueducts, many of which are still standing today.
Many countries worked on and improved the designs of bridges. The Indians, Chinese, French, and even the Incas worked to improve the bridge's design and strength. None could compare to the strength of the first iron bridge, invented in the year 1779. Called the Coalbrookdale Bridge, it was considered an engineering marvel at the time because of its use of cast iron.
After the Industrial Revolution, may new techniques for bridge-building became available and bridges became better than ever.
Fun Facts:
- Between the 12th and 16th centuries, many bridges also came with houses built on them.
- Competitive model bridge building exists, each competition with its own set of rules.
- The earliest bridges date back to Mesopotamia, but most were just logs and stones.
Sources: http://www.bridgesdb.com/bridge-history-facts/historical-development-of-bridges/
http://www.historyofbridges.com/
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