Better Ideas From France: A Paper Bridge

That's right: a bridge. Made out of paper and a little plastic. In France.

It connects an island in the Gardon River to the shore.

The paper bridge was "unveiled" last month. It's near the Pont du Gard.

The latter is part of a stone bridge, built by Romans about two millennia back.

If the rest of the river is like the part the bridge spans, France must define rivers the same way we do here in Minnesota: If it doesn't dry up in August, it's a river.

The architect, Shigeru Ban, is from Japan. He's about my age.

"It is a very interesting contrast, the Roman stone bridge and the paper bridge. Paper too can be permanent, can be strong and lasting. We need to get rid of these prejudices," he said.

In the article's photo, he's standing in front of his bridge, and grinning.

He's probably pleased with his design, and glad that it's getting so much attention.

Being the sort of person I am, the first thing that popped into my head, seeing the words, "paper bridge," and that grin, was "practical joke."

Nah. That couldn't be true.

Brilliant new idea or practical joke, it's quite a bridge: Paper bridge unveiled in southern France (July 27, 2007).

I know: this article isn't a blog. But it was too appealing to pass by, and if someone hasn't blogged about it yet, it's prime material.

More ideas - good, dubious, and strange - at "Better Ideas From ... "