tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8291097168241437317.post6633629961765988811..comments2021-04-25T18:03:08.874+01:00Comments on Viaggiatory: The View From Abroad: 'I don't want to let you go'Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15559283116187274071noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8291097168241437317.post-46123116243183481542011-03-26T20:23:26.385+00:002011-03-26T20:23:26.385+00:00There was nothing in Cambridge to indicate the ori...There was nothing in Cambridge to indicate the origins of the name, but that 'reputable source of knowledge' Wikipedia had this to say on the matter:<br /><br />Mathematical explanation<br /><br />The arrangement of timbers is a series of tangents that describe the arc of the bridge, with radial members to tie the tangents together and triangulate the structure, making it rigid and self supporting. This type of structure, technically tangent and radial trussing, is an efficient structural use of timber, and was also used for the timber supporting arches (centring) used for building stone bridges.[1]<br /><br /><br />Myths<br /><br />A popular fable is that the bridge was designed and built by Sir Isaac Newton without the use of nuts or bolts. Various stories relate how at some point in the past either students or fellows of the University attempted to take the bridge apart and put it back together, but were unable to work out how to hold the structure together, and were obliged to resort to adding nuts and bolts. In reality, bolts or the equivalent are an inherent part of the design. When it was first built, iron spikes were driven into the joints from the outer side, where they could not be seen from the inside of the parapets, explaining why bolts were thought to be an addition to the original. Note that Newton died in 1727, 22 years before the bridge was constructed.[1]<br /><br />Whether this is actually true is another matter entirely...Rebeccahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15559283116187274071noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8291097168241437317.post-47450653009117335062011-03-22T02:38:54.829+00:002011-03-22T02:38:54.829+00:00May I ask: Why is it called the Mathematical Bridg...May I ask: Why is it called the Mathematical Bridge?Stuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11332999137565791777noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8291097168241437317.post-55895292876863126592011-03-21T19:42:35.852+00:002011-03-21T19:42:35.852+00:00nice pictures! Good luck on your writing.nice pictures! Good luck on your writing.Stuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11332999137565791777noreply@blogger.com