HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
In the late 1800’s traveling to San Francisco has not been easy. By sea the city was always readily accessible, from the south, land travelers could journey uninterrupted up the peninsula that separated the Pacific from the Bay. But travelers from the north and east did not have such ready access to the city. They could turn southward when they came to the water and make the arduous two-day journey around the Bay and up the peninsula, or they could seek conveyance by water across the unpredictable and sometimes treacherous tides of San Francisco Bay.
There was a ferry service provided and the boats ran on a regular, planned basis and carried tens of thousands of people across the Bay to work in the morning and returning home in the evening. However, the ferries were quite slow and unpredictable. If the seas were high ferries might not sail or at least be terribly offschedule. The tricky Bay fogs sometimes made the journey frightening and dangerous. In heavy seas and high winds, the ferryboats sometimes pitched and tossed wildly, leaving the passengers ill and terrified. The need for a bridge over the Golden Gate was obvious and many people might have wondered at that time if the narrow passageway of sea between Lime and Ford points would be ever bridged.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Historical Background
- Politics and Financing
- Economics
- Design and Construction
- The Bridge as a Symbol
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This research project aims to explore the historical background of the Golden Gate Bridge, focusing on the events, individuals, and decisions that led to its construction. It examines the political, economic, and engineering challenges faced in bridging the Golden Gate, highlighting the significance of the bridge as a symbol of progress and connectivity.
- The historical context and the need for a bridge over the Golden Gate
- The political and financial challenges in realizing the bridge project
- The engineering design and construction process of the Golden Gate Bridge
- The symbolism and significance of the bridge in San Francisco's history and culture
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Historical Background: This chapter delves into the early discussions and proposals for bridging the Golden Gate, starting with Emperor Norton I's proclamation in 1869. It highlights the increasing need for a bridge as the Bay Area grew and the limitations of ferry services became apparent.
- Politics and Financing: This chapter examines the political landscape surrounding the Golden Gate Bridge project and the challenges in securing funding. It explores the role of influential figures like James Wilkins and M.M. O'Shaughnessy in advocating for the bridge.
- Economics: This chapter delves into the economic considerations and feasibility studies conducted for the Golden Gate Bridge. It addresses the concerns about the astronomical cost of the project and the financial resources required.
- Design and Construction: This chapter explores the engineering challenges and innovations involved in designing and constructing the Golden Gate Bridge. It highlights the contributions of Joseph Baeman Strauss and the meticulous process of building this iconic structure.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The key topics and themes of this research project include the Golden Gate Bridge, its historical background, politics and financing, economics, design and construction, and its symbolic significance. It explores the vision and efforts of key individuals like Emperor Norton I, James Wilkins, M.M. O'Shaughnessy, and Joseph Baeman Strauss in making the bridge a reality.
- Quote paper
- Sandra Beyer (Author), 2003, The bridge that couldn't be built - research project Golden Gate Bridge, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/22383
