ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Henry Robinson Palmer

Henry Robinson Palmer was a man who lived a long time ago and did something very important for our world. He helped create something called the suspension bridge, which is a type of bridge that connects two places over a really big gap or river.

Imagine that you have two pieces of string, one in each hand. If you pull them tight, they make a straight line. A suspension bridge is kind of like that, but with much bigger and stronger strings, called cables. These cables hang from towers or pillars and connect to the bridge deck, which is where cars and people can walk across.

Mr. Palmer was the one who figured out how to make these cables strong enough to hold up the weight of the bridge and the things on it. He also helped design and build some famous suspension bridges, like the Clifton Suspension Bridge in England and the Niagara Falls Suspension Bridge in Canada.

Thanks to Mr. Palmer and his invention, we can travel safely over big gaps or rivers and connect with people on the other side. So, now you know who Henry Robinson Palmer was and why he was important.