I never understood people’s fascination with bridges until I started researching for my trip to Cambridge. First of all, it’s called CamBRIDGE, if you didn’t have a clue to watch out for them. Secondly, bridges, more often than not, aren’t the most exciting architecture. They get you (and possibly your vehicle) over something, usually with little fanfare. However, once you start looking at bridges like the Bridge of Sighs, it is easy to understand why people like them. And in a city like Cambridge, there are centuries of stories behind them. The Mathematical Bridge in Cambridge is one of those bridges, and the history only makes it that much more interesting!
Where is it?
The Mathematical Bridge is over the River Cam, and connects Queen’s College on either side of the river. (It’s just north of the Silver Street Bridge, a rather boring modern bridge.) Many of the colleges have land on both sides of the river, and a bridge is a necessity. You have the Bridge of Sighs, and a few other notable bridges in Cambridge, that have especially unique stories around them, but I think this one takes the cake.
Why Is It Called the Mathematical Bridge?
Technically, it is called the Wooden Bridge, but you will commonly hear it referred to as the Mathematical Bridge. Although it looks like it is an arched bridge, it is actually only made of straight timbers. It uses a specific type of trussing (tangent and radial trussing, if you are curious) to make an efficient and strong bridge. Designed by William Etheridge, it was built by James Essex in 1749. Myths have said that Sir Isaac Newton designed it, without any nuts or bolts- don’t believe it though, nuts and bolts were always a part of the design! Despite this, it really is an incredible piece of engineering.
Have you seen the Mathematical Bridge in Cambridge?
Cheers,
The Historian
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