Bryant, Gridley (1789-1867), was the supervising engineer for one of the first corporations to build and operate a railway in the United States. The railroad, completed in 1826, was 4 miles (6 kilometers) long and transported granite for the Bunker Hill Monument. Bryant developed an 8-wheel, 2-truck car to haul long blocks of granite around curves. In 1823, he invented the portable derrick, used in constructing stone buildings. He was born in Scituate, Massachusetts.