The Brooklyn Bridge was a marvel of engineering when it opened in 1883, but its construction was basically a horror movie.
The original architect, John Roebling, died before construction even began after getting his foot crushed by a ferry while surveying the site. His son Washington took over, but then developed "the bends" from working in the underwater caissons and became bedridden. He had to supervise the entire rest of construction through a telescope from his apartment window while his wife Emily effectively ran the project.
At least 27 workers died during construction, many from the same decompression sickness that afflicted Washington. The workers called it "caisson disease" and had no idea it was caused by ascending too quickly from the pressurized underwater chambers.
When the bridge finally opened, people were terrified it would collapse. To prove it was safe, P.T. Barnum walked 21 elephants across it. Because nothing says "structurally sound" like circus animals.
The br
idge became so famous that con men started "selling" it to gullible tourists, which is where we get the phrase "I've got a bridge to sell you."
