Arts and Entertainment - 3rd prize
Karl Lang
01 January, 1999
The Howrah Bridge, built in 1943, stretches over the Hugli river in a 457-meter span, without a single pylon in the water. It is considered the world's busiest bridge, with a daily flow of some 60,000 vehicles and multitudes of pedestrians. Portraits of bridges show how they combine technological know-how with architectural impact. Bridges often represent the technological high points of their time. In medieval times, bridges often formed part of fortifications; by the 18th century they had become lighter and more elegant. In the 19th and 20th centuries new materials and techniques led to spectacular feats of engineering.