Harvard Bridge, Boston

Spanning the Charles River and connecting the cities of Boston and Cambridge, the Harvard Bridge is an integral part of the area's infrastructure and a historic landmark in its own right. The bridge, which carries Massachusetts Avenue across the river, is a vital link for vehicular traffic, pedestrians, and cyclists alike.

Constructed in 1891, the bridge has undergone several renovations to maintain its structural integrity and to accommodate the ever-increasing demands of modern transportation. Despite its name, the Harvard Bridge is not owned or operated by Harvard University; rather, it was named for John Harvard, the university's first benefactor.

The Harvard Bridge is perhaps best known for its quirky unit of measurement, the "Smoot." In 1958, as part of a fraternity prank, MIT students measured the bridge's length using Oliver R. Smoot, a fraternity pledge, as a unit of measure. The bridge was determined to be 364.4 Smoots plus one ear in length, and the painted markings remain a popular oddity, adding a touch of humor to the historic structure.

The bridge's design is utilitarian, featuring a simple steel and concrete construction. While it may lack the ornate architecture of some of its neighboring bridges, the Harvard Bridge is celebrated for its practicality and the vital role it plays in the daily life of Boston's residents.