James Finley (1756-1828)
Uniontown, Fayette County, Pennsylvania
Marker Inscription
In 1808 Finley obtained the first US patent for a suspension bridge. His first rigid chain bridge, which once spanned nearby Jacob's Creek, exemplified the ingenuity of Finley's design. Bridges following his patented design were built in several other states, and he is considered a pioneer of the modern suspension bridge. A Uniontown resident, he served as a judge and a member of the General Assembly of Pennsylvania.
Erected by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission
The Story
In 1808, Uniontown's James Finley secured the first U.S. patent for a suspension bridge, and his rigid chain span over nearby Jacob's Creek proved the concept in iron and stone. Bridges built to his design soon appeared in several states, marking him as a pioneer of the modern suspension bridge. Beyond engineering, Finley served his community as a judge and a member of the Pennsylvania General Assembly.
Why it matters
Finley's patented design laid the conceptual groundwork for the great suspension bridges that would later span America's rivers and harbors.
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Related people
- · James Finley
Themes & tags
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