PROFIT FROM RISK: Junius Morgan and the Eads Bridge.

This document provides a detailed account of the construction of the Eads Bridge in St. Louis, which was the first steel bridge in the world. The bridge was designed by James Eads, a steamboat man without formal engineering training, and financed by Junius and Pierpont Morgan. The construction faced numerous challenges, including a tornado, material procurement difficulties, and financial setbacks due to the Panic of 1873. The bridge struggled initially but eventually prospered after being foreclosed and reorganized under the Morgan banks. The document also explores the role of monopolies and the influence of figures like Pierpont Morgan in shaping the bridge's history. [Extracted from the article]