Millenium Bridge

The Millenium Bridge opened on 10 June 2000 as London's first new Thames crossing in more than 100 years. This modern 320m long structure was designed by the architect Sir Norman Foster with sculptor Sir Anthony Caro and engineers Arup. This whole project cost 18 million pounds for construction and 5 million pounds for various modifications. It was opened by The Queen. 

80.000 people crossed the bridge on its opening day. Although the bridge was designed to take the weight, suddenly it developed a very worrying and obvious wobble, giving it the famous name - the Wobbly Bridge. The structure started to sway and twist in regular oscillations, however the engineers insisted the bridge would not fall down. 

The engineers finally decided that the best solution to this serious problem were damping mechanisms, i.e. giant shock absorbers which limit the bridge's response to external forces. Dampers are used in bridges and buildings around the globe, especially in areas prone to earthquakes. Also the dampers are hidden beneath or within the structure, thus the bridge's icon is not altered in any way.

Royal Coins

Since we are all still in the emediate aftermath of the Royal wedding and having the 'Royal madness' all around us I came across these coins portraying royal couples not only from Will and Kate's wedding but also from previous weddings and eras.

The first married couple to feature on English coins were Queen Mary I and Philip of Spain . In view of their equal status to the throne they are shown facing each other. When joint monarchs King William III and Queen Mary II were invited to take the throne in 1688 William got precedence over Mary and his face is before hers, despite Mary having being the heir to the throne. 

A commemorative coin was made for Charles and Diana's wedding in 1980 and this is the case with the last Royal wedding between William and Kate. However the latter have been given equal status on the coin as befits a modern couple.