Who invented the beam bridge?

The beam bridge is one of the first human constructions and no inventor has been recorded with its initial invention. The earliest beam bridge construction was extremely simple and may have consisted of a tree placed across a river to allow for easy crossing.

As human civilization developed, beam bridge construction also became more complex. The Romans, for example, utilized bridge columns and mortar to extend the strength and reach of their beam bridges. After the industrial revolution, beam bridges have typically been constructed using stronger materials, such as steel. As of 2014, the beam bridge is one of four main bridge types that are still being constructed.