The idea of creating a bridge to span the Golden Gate Strait and link San Francisco with Marin County, California, was first proposed in the 1870s, yet it took another six decades for construction to get underway after a long series of proposals and estimates.
The final design was developed under the direction of chief engineer Joseph B. Strauss, working with Charles Ellis and Leon Moisseiff, along with aesthetic contributions from architect Irving Morrow, including the bridge's Art Deco style and the famous “industry orange” color.
Finally, on January 5, 1933, in the midst of the Great Depression, construction workers began digging, moving the first loads of what would eventually be over three million cubic feet of dirt. By 1936, the north and south towers had been erected, spanned by a catwalk from which workers could construct the suspension cables. It was undeniably difficult and dangerous work, and they were constantly buffeted by icy Pacific winds.
The workers had Joseph Strauss to thank for imposing numerous safety precautions, including wearing hard hats and goggles. Most importantly, he ordered the construction of a rope mesh safety net along the entire length of the bridge and around 10 feet beyond each side of its width. Though it cost around $130,000 (close to $3 million in today’s money), it was undoubtedly worth it, as it saved the lives of 19 men who became known as the “Halfway to Hell Club.”
The opening of the Golden Gate Bridge in May 1937 was marked with a week of festivities. Around 200,000 people crossed the bridge on foot (or roller skates) on May 27, and vehicles began crossing the following day. At the time, it was both the longest and tallest suspension bridge in the world. Though the Golden Gate Bridge has been surpassed in size by other suspension bridges, it remains the most photographed bridge in the world and is an enduring icon of San Francisco, widely considered one of the wonders of the modern world.
Tragedies and near misses:
- On October 21, 1936, construction worker Kermit Moore became the first person to lose his life during the construction of the bridge when he was hit by a falling support beam.
- One famous member of the “Halfway to Hell Club” was ironworker Al Zampa. On October 19, 1936, Zampa slipped off a wet girder, falling around 60 feet. The safety net wasn’t high or taught enough to fully catch him, and he hit the ground with force, fracturing multiple vertebrae and his pelvis. Yet he eventually recovered and returned to work on the bridge.
- Tragically, the safety net wasn’t able to save those who fell on February 17, 1937, when a portion of the scaffolding collapsed and ripped the net, causing 12 men to plummet 220 feet (67 m) into the ocean. Only Slim Lambert and Oscar Osberg survived the ordeal after being rescued by fishermen.