The Brooklyn Bridge. An original American Masterpiece. It was designed and built at the beginning of the industrial era, when mechanical engineers were literally inventing the future. It was the largest suspension bridge at the time and the towers were the largest structures when they were first built (outside the Pyramids). It was also the first suspension bridge to use steel cables. It was a symbol of the triumph of man's ingenuity over nature, simply put. And it all happened in New York, which fed into the city's self-identity as the place where all the significant things in the country were born. On a practical level, it made it possible for a large working class to be housed outside of the city (Manhattan) and still have easy access to it as a destination for work and shopping. Brooklyn became the first suburb, as well as the neighborhood for the new rich. By the turn of the century, it boasted more millionaires per capita than any other neighborhood in the country. In a city of many famous symbols, it ranks up there with the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building as identifying the style, mood and energy of New York - which is why the wogs keep wanting to blow it up, as evidenced by a recently discovered plot by Islamic terrorists attempting to do just that. The bridge was built over a 14 year span in the face of enormous difficulties. More than 14,400 miles of wire were used for the suspender ropes. As many as 30 men were killed during construction mishaps. Work began in January 1870, and concluded in May 1883. Originally it was called the New York and Brooklyn Bridge, but Brooklyn won out. First man to jump off the bridge was in 1885. He did not survive the fall. First woman to jump off the bridge was in 1895. She survived! This shot was taken looking up from under the first tower walking from New York towards Brooklyn. 6th picture in my New York series. Thanks for stopping by! marshall