Brooklyn Bridge: Little Known Facts

Little Known Facts About the Brooklyn Bridge

We all know the Brooklyn Bridge is one of the most well-known bridges in America. How many of these ten little-known facts about the Brooklyn Bridge do you know?

• The Brooklyn Bridge was the first steel-wire suspension bridge. The bridge opened in 1883 after 14 years of construction.
• The designer and chief engineer of the bridge was John Augustus Roebling. He passed away before the bridge was completed. He died from tetanus after a ferry crashed into a pier and crushed his toes. His son Washington Roebling took over the project.
• Washington Roebling was the first to develop decompression sickness, also known as “the bends.” He spent too much time in compressed air overseeing the bridge’s construction.
• Twenty workers died from falls or other accidents during the construction process.
• The Brooklyn Bridge has initially painted a light-gray color.
• The Brooklyn Bridge has been the site of numerous suicide attempts. An estimated 1,000 people have jumped off the bridge since it opened.
• In 1994, the Brooklyn Bridge underwent a major renovation. They installed a new roadway and pedestrian and bike lanes during this renovation.
• The Brooklyn Bridge has been used as a location in many movies and television shows, including “Gangs of New York,” “The Great Gatsby,” and “The Amazing Spider-Man.”
• The Brooklyn Bridge is a popular location for photographers. Its iconic tower and cables are often photographed at sunrise and sunset.
• In 2022, the Brooklyn Bridge turned 139 years old, making it one of the oldest suspension bridges in the United States.

If you are in Brooklyn or Manhattan, visit the historic Brooklyn Bridge. It is a rare sight and worth the visit!