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Date: Construction started in January 1870; the bridge was
officially opened for use in May 1883.
Architects: John Augustus Roebling and his son, Washington
Roebling.
Brooklyn Bridge in History: Upon its completion, the Brooklyn
was the longest suspension bridge in the world, spanning 1,595 feet.
It's a pity that the original architect never lived to see the end
result. Before construction even began, John Roebling died from
tetanus as a result of a fall he suffered while surveying the location
for the Brooklyn-side tower. His son, Washington, succeeded him
as chief engineer and was later rendered an invalid from "decompression
sickness" acquired during the construction of the Manhattan-side
caisson. During building, workers referred to the bridge as "Roeblings'
Curse."
Brooklyn Bridge Today: More than 150,000 vehicles and 2,500
pedestrians cross the Brooklyn Bridge daily. The bridge is perhaps
the only place in the world where a plane can fly over a person
walking over a car driving over a boat sailing over a subway.
• Unofficial
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