The Engineering Contributions of Wendel Bollman

This audio journey explores the life and work of a self‑taught Baltimore engineer who helped launch the iron age of American bridge building. Listeners will discover how the scarcity of capital and the limits of wood and stone led him to devise a groundbreaking truss system, the first of its kind to rely entirely on iron for a railroad. The narrative weaves together his early career, the technical principles behind his designs, and the broader shift in 19th‑century civil engineering.

The discussion then turns to the iconic truss that bears his name, detailing its construction, the challenges it solved, and its influence on later engineers such as Whipple and Fink. Along the way, vivid descriptions of surviving examples and archival photographs bring the era to life. By the end, you’ll have a clear sense of why this innovator’s contributions remain a pivotal chapter in the story of modern infrastructure.