Building the Golden Gate Bridge

Before 1937, ferries crossed the strait in 20 minutes. Southern Pacific Railroad fought the bridge to protect its fleet.

Joseph Strauss was chief engineer. Charles Ellis did the actual math. Strauss fired him for sending too many telegrams.

Strauss designed 400 drawbridges first.

Irving Morrow picked International Orange paint. The US Navy wanted black and yellow stripes. The Navy preferred looking like a wasp.

Construction began January 5, 1933. Nineteen men saved by nets formed the Half Way to Hell Club. Exclusive membership requires falling.

The main span stretches 4,200 feet. Total height reaches 746 feet. It opened as the tallest suspension bridge. Tall enough to show off.

A December 1, 1951 windstorm forced closure. Workers added bracing in 1953 and 1954. Even famous bridges need structural chiropractors.

Ellis turned in ten volumes of hand calculations. He received no credit during his lifetime. The math outlasted the ego.