1. Reading through the information on both bridges it seems as if they are both suspension (cable) bridges. Both designed to withstand wind, and allow movement. The Brooklyn Bridge is classified as Neo-Gothic style and has beautiful archways. It looks very old and classic. The Golden Gate Bridge looks more modern and has become iconic due to its orange paint color. I found very interesting that one of the reasons they painted it this color was for it to be more visible when fog is present. It seems that would be an obvious reason, but I didn’t even think about that until it was mentioned. Both bridges are exposed to harsh weather, but the weather can vary due to the different locations; New York and San Francisco. New York has four seasons and experiences snow, heat, wind and rain. San Francisco doesn’t usually encounter snow but has dense fog, high winds and rain. Both cities are coastal and can experience hurricanes and earthquakes. Both bridges are depicted iconically in photos that I saw online. I have never seen either of these bridges in person, but looking at photos they seem enormous. I would be intimidated to drive across either of them! It is also common to see these bridges in movies and t.v. shows because they are so well known and respected.
2. The Brooklyn Bridge was built in 1883 and took years to complete because they obviously did not have the technology and equipment we have today. After looking at early photos of this bridge being built, I couldn’t help but think how dangerous it must have been to have been involved in the construction (cables, painting) as a worker. One thing I found fascinating about this project is the engineer (designer) John Roebling sustained a foot injury and decompression sickness during the early stages of the project and had to supervise from an apartment overlooking the bridge. But even more interesting is that he had his wife help by running information back and forth from the job site and she eventually helped their son oversee the construction. I wonder what that was like for her? As a women in the late 1800’s was she respected? The Golden Gate bridge was built in 1937 by Joseph Strauss (and many other engineers). This was much later in time compared to the Brooklyn Bridge, so I wonder if there was better technology available to them? Before construction began it seemed as if there was a lot of opposition from government and the Navy to build it. One piece of information that stood out to me is that during the build of the Golden Gate bridge, Joseph Strauss innovated safety nets to catch workers if there was an accidental fall. It seems this would have been a safer work environment than that of the Brooklyn Bridge.
3. Both bridges are still standing today because of the quality of construction and ingenuity of the engineers and designers of both projects. Both cities are very proud of these accomplishments and have worked hard to keep the bridges open and safe to drive on.

To compare the most iconic bridges in the USA is a daunting task. The Brooklyn bridge has been around for over 130 years old, that alone is to show the level of craftsmanship. I think the main reason it has not been changed is because of that fact alone.  It is stated that Roebling built it 6 times stronger than required. He also revolutionized suspension bridge construction with the steel web supports on both sides of the bridge which increased stability. Because of his forethought to build something so strong it has become a mainstay of the New York landscape. Which i believe is why photographs of the bridge tend to include the whole landscape of Lower Manhattan.  Having been build over a 100 years ago gives the bridge a very rustic look. With lots of stone it has a blocky appearance which shows the age of the bridge, but also shows how far New York has come since the 1800’s.

The Golden Gate bridge is 50 years younger than the Brooklyn bridge. It is also a suspension bridge, because of this it has a lot of the same revolutionary designs from the Brooklyn. Being newer there was no stone used in the construction, because of this it looks much more contemporary. Which works in to the progressive beliefs  of the state and the city. I also believe that they left the Golden Gate as more of a blank slate, in that they have added an amazing idea. They added a movable center barrier, which increased safety so that were no head on crashes. Also because it is movable they can increase traffic flow in one direction over the other, helping with commute times.  The way that the Golden Gate is photographed shows more of a serene type setting. Usually with lots of fog around to make it feel that it is reaching for the sky.