William Howe, from Spencer, Massachusetts, patented his new truss design in 1840, and extended the patent in 1850 with design improvements. The Howe Truss was originally designed to combine diagonal timber compression members and vertical iron rod tension members, as seen in the Comstock Bridge. However, the Howe Truss was later used in steel bridges. It's impressive strength over long spans contributed to its overwhelming popularity as a railroad bridge.
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