When she first opened to traffic on May 24, 1883, the Brooklyn Bridge was the longest suspension bridge in the world. On that first day, a total of 1,800 vehicles and 150,300 people crossed her. Since then billions more have crossed this first bridge over the East River.
Her main span is 1,595 feet 6 inches (486.3 m). And she was built at a cost of $15.5 million and the lives of 27 people.
She was designed by John A. Roebling, a German-born immigrant. He never lived to see this lovely bridge started for in 1869 his foot was crushed against a pylon causing tetanus to set in it. He died on July 22, 1869.
She was built by his son Washington who suffered from Decompression Sickness (The Bends) during the construction. Although bed-ridden, he used his wife as a go-between between himself and the work site. Thus being one of the first women in the US to actually work as an engineer, even though she didn't have the degree for it.
The first person to jump from the Brooklyn Bridge was Robert E. Odlum, on May 19, 1885. Although he survived the jump, he died from his injuries a short while later.
One can joke about selling her, but it was a scam to tourists in the 1920's to actually sell her. Quite a few suckers were taken in.
Happy Birthday, Dear Brooklyn Bridge! 125 years and still looking good!
1 comment:
Nice one, you know the funny thing is i've probably never seen it in person, don't even live in America, but when i saw your top picture, my first guess was the Brooklyn Bridge.
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