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10 Facts About the Golden State Bridge

When talking about San Francisco, many famous landmarks make the city famous worldwide. You have popular attractions such as cable cars, large buildings like the Transamerica Pyramid, and San Francisco's Chinatown. One point of interest that will make any person's day is the Golden Gate Bridge.

The Golden State Bridge is so iconic that many movies filmed in the San Francisco area include it in at least a few scenes. Here are five cool facts about the Golden Gate Bridge we would like to share:

Fact #1: An Earthquake Shook the Bridge During Construction

No construction worker would want to stay on-site during an earthquake. Unfortunately, the workers tasked to construct the Golden Gate Bridge had to experience an earthquake that would cause the bridge's unfinished south tower to sway 16 feet each way. During the earthquake, there were at least 12 to 13 workers who were staying in the tower. They couldn't escape because of how strong the quake was, so they had no choice but to brace the earthquake until they were safe enough to get to the ground.

Fact #2: The Bridge Has a Safety Net

During the bridge's construction, the construction company decided to put a ten feet wide and 15 feet long safety net under the bridge to prevent anyone from falling into the water from a high altitude. While you may think that hitting the water from the bridge won't hurt, think again. The bridge is so high that it can potentially break your bones if you don't know how to position your body before hitting the water. The safety net did the trick because it saved the lives of 19 construction workers.

Fact #3: Safety Was #1

Aside from employing the safety net, chief engineer Joseph Strauss wanted to make sure that he didn't lose any workers during the Golden Gate Bridge construction. He enforced the rules so much that even stepping foot near the side of the bridge could result in firing. Strauss required people working at the top of the bridge to use glare-free goggles, apply hand and face cream to protect themselves from the strong winds, and even asked them to go on a special diet because he believed it would prevent dizziness.

Fact #3: The Color Was Chosen for Good Reason

Before the Golden Gate Bridge had its signature orange color, there were other colors proposed by other higher-ups. One of the many colors presented was black with yellow stripe patterns suggested by the U.S. Navy. However, Irving Morrow, the consulting architect, never liked the color black in the first place because it looked unattractive and would reduce the scale of the bridge. Later on, he came up with the idea of painting the bridge with International Orange paint taking inspiration from the red primer steel beams he saw in factories back east. He also said that the color could make the bridge clearer during a fog.

Fact #4: The Bridge Opening Ceremony Lasted for a Week

Four years after Joseph Strauss completed the bridge, a week-long fiesta lasted from May 27th to June 2nd. At least 15,000 people attended the event. They paid 25 cents for the entrance fee. There were hotdog vendors set up on the roadway, and they sold around 50,000 hot dogs. Apart from the food, 42 Navy ships sailed under the bridge, and the organizers held a large fireworks display during the afternoon.

Fact #5: The Bridge Pushes the Fog Away

The San Francisco Bay has its fair share of fog. But when San Francisco seafarers pass by the bridge, the moisture seemingly passes over the bridge. This phenomenon is due to the bridge's influence in pointing the fog as it pushes upwards and pours down around the bridge. So if you ever plan on traveling the San Francisco Bay's waters, you might catch this fantastic phenomenon happening.

Conclusion

Today, the Golden Gate Bridge sits proudly over the water, helping people cross from island to island. To ensure the bridge stays in top condition, maintenance personnel walk around the bridge, inspecting each area, such as the cables, roadways, and anchors. They also check internal systems in the bridge's towers protected behind exterior access doors. If you are a construction professional, contact California Access Doors to discover how access doors, floor panels, and roof hatches can improve your next building project!

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