Running Head: IMPACT OF THE BROOKLYN BRIDGE

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Impact of the Brooklyn Bridge
Taylor Kenney
Molloy College














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The Brooklyn Bridge is one of the most beautiful sites in New York City. When
one thinks of a city skyline, it is rare that the historical bridge does not come to mind. It
has been compared to Eiffel Tower in Paris because of the powerful symbol that it holds
representing the city of New York. Moreover, the setting of the striking location has been
the background in many films, pictures in magazines, and seen in many shows on
televisions (McCullough, 1972). It has gorgeous views and is a large attraction when
visiting, but the story behind the bridge, the lives it has taken and saved, and the impact
that it has had on the city for so many years is what makes it truly remarkable.
The structure of this bridge is one of the scariest, but interesting and unique than
many other bridges. It is placed extending over the East River from Cadman Plaza in
downtown Brooklyn to Center Street in Manhattan. Being a suspension bridge, where
wires are literally suspended above the base of the bridge with iron chains, makes it very
dangerous. The frightening aspect of this was that if any link of these chains broke, the
bridge was finished. It would have no chance of success if all parts of the bridge were not
fully intact (Denison, 2012). The success of these iron chains was amazing, and the fact
that it was measured to be 5,862 feet long, or around 1.1 miles makes that even more
remarkable (McCullough, 1972).
The amazing work done and the man to be accredited for this great addition to
New York City, besides the many unknown workers, is John Roebling. He was a German
engineer and designer (McCullough). Although his is one of the most remembered names
for this, he was not the only one who deserves full credit of the Brooklyn Bridge. When
describing John Roebling, McCullough uses positive characteristics such as poised and
proud and confident. McCullough even goes to the length of saying he was like an
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Iron Man (1972) in his book The Great Bridge. Unfortunately, while surveying, or
measuring the land for the Bridge, a boat crushed Roeblings foot. At the time, not
knowing a cure or how to help, he just poured cold water on it, leading to him getting
tetanus and also the need of amputation of some of his toes. John Roebling died at the age
of sixty-three in July of 1869 (McCullough, 1972). The responsibilities of the Brooklyn
Bridge were then passed on to John Roeblings son, Washington Roebling. A very
common disease that many of the workers of the bridge suffered from was Caissions
Disease. Also known as the bends this disease is when there is nitrogen bubbles in the
blood, causing a crippling of most likely the legs. Washington Roebling suffered from
this in the early stages of building the bridge, along with many other workers because the
disease was not well understood at this point. When the disease hit its worst, Washington
handed the responsibilities to his wife Emily. He watched through the window of his
apartment as the building of the bridge took its course, as Emily educated herself to
assure that she was well versed in mathematics, as well as construction. Emily was the
physical leader at the site of the bridge and acted as the middleman and supervisor to
make sure that John and Washington Roeblings vision of the Brooklyn Bridge came to
life.
Construction of the Brooklyn Bridge started in 1869 and took fifteen years to
complete being finished in 1883 (The Roebling Museum, 2011). It was not open for the
general public to use until May 24
th
, 1883. There are rumors that Washington Roebling
planned to be the first to cross the bridge, and once Emily Roebling heard of this, she was
not happy. It is said that she woke up early the morning of the opening (McCullough,
1972) and went across it on her carriage holding a rooster in her lap to represent victory.
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The many effects the Brooklyn Bridge have had on the city of New York starts
with transportation because without this, the growth between the two parts of the city
would have never happened. The bridge made the rate and ease of transporting goods as
well as businessmen back and forth between Brooklyn and Manhattan without having to
wait for a boat to bring them across. The bridge enhanced education as well. Education in
Manhattan was not very good, and parents were concerned for their childrens futures.
The bridge made it possible for families to move across the East River from Manhattan to
Brooklyn in order to place the children into better educational programs.
The most influential role the Brooklyn Bridge has played, in my opinion, was
during the terrible horrors of September 11
th
, 2001. When fear struck the city of New
York at the Twin Towers, people needed a way of escaping the city as fast as they
possible could. The Brooklyn Bridge was there for them to run for their lives out of
Manhattan. The bridge had saved so many lives that day. Years and years later, pictures
in newspapers all around the United States show the horrible events with the smokey
skyline of Manhattan that day, now thirteen years ago. Hard to say there is any beauty in
these pictures, but one thing that stands out is the still standing, heroic, Brooklyn Bridge.
People that survived that day because of that bridge should be forever grateful for the
building of one of their many heroes that day.
Today, the Brooklyn Bridge is a large attraction, a must go to when visiting New
York City. Having now experienced its beauty, it is understood why it is so popular. The
bridge is full of people viewing, exercising by foot or bicycle. The line painted down to
split the cyclists and the striders was the creation of New York Citys first bike lanes,
allowing a safer and less stressful experience for both types of people. Today, its
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recorded that about 4,000 people walk across the Brooklyn Bridge daily, with the
addition of around 2,000 bicyclists (McCullough, 1972).
In conclusion, the Brooklyn Bridge has had a large impact on New York City.
Whether it was to express the greatness of life, the ease of transportation, or just the
expansion of ideas and advancements in technology, New York City would not be the
city that it is today without the building of John Roeblings great idea of the Brooklyn
Bridge.
















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References
The Brooklyn Bridge. (2011, January 1). : The Roebling Museum. Retrieved September
18, 2014, from http://roeblingmuseum.org/portfolio/brooklyn-bridge/
Denison, E., & Stewart, I. (2012). How to read bridges: a crash course in engineering and
architecture. New York: Rizzoli.
McCullough, D. (1972). The Great Bridge: the Epic Story Of The Building Of The
Brooklyn Bridge. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster. Kindle Edition