It’s difficult to imagine any other landmark in its place, but the bridge is a fortunate consequence of failed design proposals, aggressive lobbying and a cry for employment amid the Great Depression. A colossal steel structure comprised of 80,000 miles of steel cable and 600,000 rivets, capable of laterally bending 27 feet in high winds.

Even the story of its famous color represents San Francisco’s humble and opportunistic origins. Its designers initially called for a darker color of gray, aluminum or black, while the US Navy requested black and yellow stripes for greater visibility. But the steel beams arrived from the factory coated in a vibrant red coat of standard primer. Designers quickly agreed that the color, which they named “International Orange”, perfectly complemented the bridge and its natural surroundings, while remaining highly visible in the fog.