From all ages architects have made use of arches in public buildings, as well for strength as beauty. Yet what was the true geometrical figure of an arch was not known before my demonstrations came out.

David Gregory, "Answer to the Animadversions concerning the Catenary," (1699) Philisophical Transactions No. 259 p. 419, in The Philosophical Transactions Of The Royal Society Of London From Their Commencement In 1665 To The Year 1800 Vol. 4 From 1794 to 1702 p. 456.