Ep 5. Golden Gate Bridge

The Golden Gate Bridge is one of the most recognizable landmarks in the United States, and the Modern Marvels team is taking a closer look at what makes it such an engineering masterpiece. The bridge spans 1.7 miles across the Golden Gate Strait, connecting San Francisco to Marin County, and was completed in 1937. To this day, it is still considered one of the world's greatest engineering feats.

The episode kicks off with some background on the bridge's construction, including the massive undertaking it was to build it in the first place. The area of the Golden Gate Strait where the bridge sits is known for its turbulent waters, strong winds, and frequent fog, making the construction process incredibly difficult. The episode explores some of the challenges that the bridge's designers faced, including the need to build a structure that could withstand powerful earthquakes.

One key feature of the Golden Gate Bridge is its suspension design, which allows it to span such a wide distance without the need for support pillars. This design was considered groundbreaking when the bridge was built, and it remains a marvel of engineering to this day. The episode explores the physics behind suspension bridges and how they work, including the role that the cables play in supporting the roadway.

The Modern Marvels team also takes a closer look at the materials that were used to build the bridge. The steel used in the construction of the Golden Gate Bridge was manufactured by Bethlehem Steel Corporation, one of the largest steel producers in the United States at the time. It took an astounding 83,000 tons of steel to build the bridge, and the episode explores the process of smelting and shaping that steel.

Perhaps the most striking feature of the Golden Gate Bridge is its color. The iconic international orange hue was not, in fact, the original plan for the bridge's paint job. The designers had originally intended to paint the bridge with black and yellow stripes to make it more visible in the fog, but ultimately settled on the orange color. The episode explores the science behind why that particular shade of orange was chosen, as well as the ongoing maintenance required to keep the bridge looking its best.

Of course, no episode about the Golden Gate Bridge would be complete without a closer look at its history and cultural significance. The Golden Gate Bridge has served as a symbol of San Francisco and California for decades, and the episode explores the political and cultural factors that helped to shape its legacy. It also touches on the various roles that the bridge has played in popular culture, from its portrayal in movies and television to the countless photographs taken by tourists and locals alike.

Overall, Modern Marvels season 2 episode 5 is a fascinating look at one of the most iconic structures in the United States. Through interviews with engineers, historians, and other experts, the episode delves deep into the science and engineering that made the Golden Gate Bridge possible, as well as its lasting cultural impact. Whether you're a science buff, a history fanatic, or simply a fan of stunning engineering feats, this episode is not to be missed.