1806-1869

German-American engineer and industrialist who pioneered the construction of suspension bridges in the United States. Born and educated in Germany, Roebling emigrated to America, where he designed and built several well known bridges, including one that spanned Niagara Falls and the Brooklyn Bridge over the East River. An important Roebling innovation was that of replacing the bulky chains used in German bridges with lighter, stronger woven steel cables, which his company also manufactured.