Building the "Impossible" Bridge
Building the Golden Gate Bridge was not simply difficult. Many engineers of the early twentieth century believed it was nearly impossible. The site presented a perfect storm of obstacles: strong Pacific winds, powerful tides, deep water, frequent fog, and the ever-present threat of earthquakes. Yet in just over four years, workers transformed a dream into one of the most recognizable structures on Earth. When construction began in 1933, the Great Depression was gripping the United States. Jobs were scarce, but the work available on the bridge was among the most dangerous in the country. Crews labored hundreds of feet above the water while battling cold, wind, and dense fog. Even reaching some work locations required extraordinary courage and skill. The bridge's main span would stretch 4,200 feet, farther than any suspension bridge had spanned before. Engineers had to solve problems that no one had previously encountered at that scale. Wind forces, cable stresses, and struct...