Theodore Burr

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Theodore Burr (16 August 1771 - 1822 [or November, 1824]) was an inventor from Torringford, Connecticut credited with the Burr Arch Truss bridge design and cousin of vice president Aaron Burr.

Around 1804, Burr built the first "sizable bridge" crossing New York's Hudson River, near Watertown, New York.

Between 1811 and 1818, Burr designed, then constructed or supervised, five crossings of the Susquehanna River. The first four were in Pennsylvania at Nescopeck Falls (Berwick), Columbia, Harrisburg, and Northumberland. The last was the 4,170 foot (1271 m) Susquehanna River Bridge near Port Deposit, Maryland.

Burr was awarded US Patent No. 2769 on April 4, 1817 for his arch and truss bridge design.

[edit] See also

• Burr Truss

[edit] External links

• Direct link to US Patent No. 2769 image

[edit] References

• Calvert, J. B. (2000-10-23). The Burr Truss. Retrieved on 2006-07-28.
• Cummings, Hubertis M.. Theodore Burr and his bridges across the Susquehanna. Retrieved on 2006-07-28.
• Truss Types. The Theodore Burr Covered Bridge Society of PA, Inc. Retrieved on 2006-07-28.