Contrary to popular belief, London's Tower Bridge was not built to accommodate the passage of large ships. Its primary purpose was to facilitate road traffic across the River Thames while allowing tall-masted ships to pass through. The bridge's iconic bascule design, featuring two massive counterbalanced leaves that can be raised to an 86-degree angle, was carefully engineered to balance aesthetics and functionality. Tower Bridge became a symbol of London's industrial might and engineering prowess, and its construction was a testament to the ingenuity and innovation of Victorian engineers.
