New York City’s Brooklyn Bridge was the first major suspension bridge to use steel-wire cables.
The bridge opened in 1883 and connects Manhattan and Brooklyn across the East River. Engineer John A. Roebling conceived the design, while his son Washington Roebling oversaw much of the construction after his father died before work began.
Its four main cables were made from steel wire, an important technological advance over earlier iron-cable suspension bridges. The bridge’s stone towers and elevated promenade helped make it both a transportation structure and an enduring city landmark.
Although the Brooklyn Bridge was once described as the world’s longest suspension bridge, it is no longer close to the modern record. Its historical importance comes from its pioneering construction methods, large scale and role in connecting the two formerly separate cities.