Golden Gate

Golden Gate bridge, of course, one of the most recognizable bridges in the world!  It's 4200 feet long and was the longest suspension bridge in the world from 1937 to 1964 when it was succeeded by the Verrazano Narrows Bridge in New York. It cost 35$ million to build in 1933, and it came in under budget and ahead of schedule. I’m just amazed that they built a six lane bridge in 1933 in California of all uninhabited places.  The story of the construction of this bridge is nothing short of incredible.  

There were several major engineers involved in the design of the bridge, with the final design by Charles Alton Ellis.  The project went through several other engineers before it reached Ellis, including Leon Moisseiff, who is (in)famous for designing the Galloping Gertie bridge across Puget Sound that collapsed so dramatically ON VIDEO in 1940 just months after it opened.  (Good thing Moisseiff didn’t do the final design on golden Gate bridge) 

The head of the Golden Gate Bridge project Joseph Strauss completely gypped Ellis on credit for the design and cut all mention of his name from the grand opening ceremonies and the commemorative plaque, but it’s Ellis’ signature on the plans that are in the Library of Congress. (which is a big deal because an engineering signature is basically a professional guarantee)  sordid history: 

The construction of the bridge was extremely dangerous for the workers, because of the 200 foot height from the deck to the ocean.  An enormous net was constructed underneath to catch people as they fell, it failed once and killed 10 men in one day, but it generally succeeded and saved the lives of 19 people who I’m sure would have preferred not to join the  ‘Halfway to Hell Club’.  My favorite part of the constructions was the immense project to build the underwater pylon in 110 feet of water.  Here’s a great link with old photos of the divers preparing to go down with dynamite to blast to the bedrock.  

The aesthetic design of the towers was done by Irving Morrow, yet another product of the famous Beaux Arts school in Paris which gave San Francisco architects like Julia Morgan and shaped so much of the California’s architectural style.  The Golden Gate is done in good old 1930’s Art Deco style, and the wikipedia page has tons of beautiful photo examples if you want to see more. 

                             
Dum dum te dum!  Here it is!!!: CHATEAU GRIEF IS ON PATREON (woot!)

I have gone on a posting bonanza over there!  All bright and shiny and ready for the GRAND OPENING!  

• 7 tutorials (Including a walkthrough of today's bonus pic!)
• CG 117
• June's swag with brushes, palettes and special effects

And it doesn't charge you until the first of the month (Aug1) so it's basically all free until then!  Go sign up for the 10$ tier and get everything!  You can unsubscribe at any time or change your tier, so there's no reason not to go for gold.  And then tell me how I'm doing on the tutorials thing because I want to make sure I'm showing what people want.  Please support it would mean a lot to me!

Xander would support.    You know he would. (link back to comic)  (BUT GO TO PATREON INSTEAD, looks so cool!)

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