Rijdende brug te Saint-Malo 1873 - 1900

Étienne Neurdein’s photograph captures a novel contraption: a transporter bridge at Saint-Malo. The image presents a mechanical solution to urban connectivity, but also reflects broader themes of industrial progress in late 19th-century France. Saint-Malo, a port city with a rich maritime history, sought innovative ways to navigate its unique coastal geography. The transporter bridge, captured here, offered a solution by hoisting pedestrians and vehicles across waterways, avoiding the need for traditional, disruptive bridge construction that might impede ship traffic. Neurdein's composition emphasizes the bridge’s metallic, skeletal structure and the presence of onlookers hints at the public’s fascination with these feats of engineering. Historical societies and local archives might reveal municipal discussions surrounding this technological marvel. Engineering journals could offer insight into the mechanics and design of the bridge. By researching the social and institutional context, we gain a richer understanding of the cultural values that shaped this moment in Saint-Malo’s history.