The Nineteenth Century, in the midst of the Industrial Revolution, created some of the most iconic and innovative bridges of Western Civilization. While St. Louis pioneered the use of structural steel tubing in the construction of the Eads Bridge, in Scotland, two other engineers and architects, Sir John Fowler and Sir Benjamin Baker, utilized the lessons of our bridge in the construction of the Firth of Forth Bridge, which likewise uses tubed steel construction, pushing the ingenuity of James Eads to new heights and lengths.

I made it out to the bridge from Edinburgh bright and early, right at sunrise in the winter of 2013; I was not disappointed by my decision.  The sun reflected off the newly repainted red bridge, and it is easily one of the most sublime sights I have ever seen.  The red color almost seems to challenge nature, whose dark grays, greens and blues typify the beautiful Scottish countryside.  Look at other photos of the bridge, including a nearby suspension bridge, and the quiet Scottish road I walked on  to get these pictures.