I have a weird conspiracy theory about this bridge

Summary by Krater

Tom Scott explores the Iron Bridge in Shropshire, examining historical evidence, paintings, and engineering to investigate a conspiracy theory that the bridge was originally meant to be flat rather than steep.

From the video

Answers: Was the Iron Bridge originally meant to be flat?

• Iron Bridge architecture and history
• Historical painting analysis
• Bridge engineering and construction
• Geological landslide history
• Conspiracy theory investigation

What it concludes

• No surviving plans or blueprints of the Iron Bridge construction exist.
• The famous 1780 painting by William Williams depicts the bridge with a 3-degree angle at the top, which differs from its current steep profile.
• The Iron Bridge gorge is slowly collapsing and narrowing due to landslide history and industrial activity.
• The bridge's current steep gradient of 1 in 8 is not due to original flat design plans failing, but rather the bridge settling under the weight of iron and stone over centuries.