Exactly 71 years ago today, on may 27, 1937, San Franciscans came out to celebrate what had once been deemed impossible- the bridging of the Golden Gate strait. The bridge that "Couldn't be built" now stood completed, the pride, joy, and glory of San Francisco.
The bridge's first day was reserved exclusively for pedestrians, and at least 200,000 of them came out to celebrate. At least one person crossed on stilts, and another crossed with her tongue sticking out.
Since that happy day, the Golden Gate Bridge has achieved many impressive firsts- for 40 years, holding the world record for longest suspension span- 4200 feet between the towers. It was only dethroned in the 60's by the Verrazano narrows bridge, and by only 60 feet.
The Golden Gate was also the first toll bridge to institute one-way toll collection, now many others have copied it. It was also the first suspension bridge to undergo a complete replacement of its vertical suspender ropes, which took 4 years in the early 70's.
Much was learned about the behavior of long-span suspension bridges thanks to Golden Gate. In the wake of the Tacoma-Narrows bridge collapse, the Golden Gate recieved some structural retrofitting, which has made it even stronger than before. The Bridge has lost weight too- about 11,500 ton's worth. This was the result of having its original poured concrete road deck replaced with a much lighter and stronger orthotropic steel one.
On the bridge's 50th birthday, so many enthusiastic people showed up for another pedestrian day that their weight flattened the graceful arch of the Golden Gate's deck!
Luckily the bridge was unhurt, such was its great strength and flexibility.
Even today, the work continues to keep this beautiful and much-loved bridge in fighting shape- painting is constant, old rivets are replaced with high strength bolts, and a massive seismic retrofit is underway.
Golden Gate Bridge may not be the longest suspension bridge in the world anymore, but surely it may be the world's most loved. Heck, even Magneto of the X-Men couldn't resist, and tried to pick it up and take it home with him!
So let's celebrate this amazing structure, the bridge that couldn't be built, and has since confounded all critics by not only getting built, but surviving 71 years of storms, earthquakes, and ever increasing traffic.
Happy Birthday Golden Gate, we'll see you in 2012 for your 75th, and maybe we'll even flatten out your road deck again!
Now to celebrate, let's see some serious Golden Gate Bridge Porn!
Here's the live webcam, so we can admire the bridge live:
http://www.goldengatebridge.org/
And a link to some cool facts and lovely pics:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Gate_Bridge