The
Chinese were building suspension bridges in the 6th century, although they
existed prior to that in the form of drawbridges and footbridges made from
vines. Suspension bridges were not built in the Western world until the 19th
century. James Finlay (U.S.) built the first suspension bridge in the United
States in 1801, at Union Town, Pa., spanning Jacob’s Creek. (Inventions and
Discoveries)
