On 10th May1869 the world knew of something extraordinary: in the small town of Promontory, in Utah, a “golden” hinge sealed the last rails that completed the first transcontinental railway, connecting the Pacific to the Atlantic Ocean. A telegraph line was specifically installed along the railway to tell the world about this new technologic success. Many scientists had been dreaming for decades about a means of transport which could go across America. Eventually, it was a stubborn and indefatigable man, Theodor Judah, who marked a turning point, making a mythical but risky project come true. Judah carried out many expeditions in the wild territory of the Rocky Mountains in order to find the best route for the railway and to break through the politicians’ and engineers’ reserve. His daring plan not only changed America, but also, thanks to its many innovations, succeeded in transforming the way railways were built worldwide.