On May 27, 1937, the Golden Gate Bridge opened in San Francisco, California. But cars were not allowed on the first day. Instead, the bridge was reserved for pedestrians only. About 200,000 people showed up. Some walked. Some ran. A few even roller-skated or did handstands on the brand-new bridge. Building the bridge had taken over four years. The waters of the Golden Gate Strait were deep and treacherous, with powerful currents and thick fog. Many engineers said a bridge there was impossible. Joseph Strauss, the chief engineer, proved them wrong. Workers constructed the bridge using massive steel cables. Each main cable contained 27,572 individual wires. A safety net hung below the deck during construction. It saved the lives of nineteen workers who fell, and they became known as the "Halfway to Hell Club." When the bridge was finished, it was the longest suspension bridge in the world. Its towers rose 746 feet above the water. The bridge was painted a color called International Orange, which helped it stand out against the fog. The Golden Gate Bridge became an enduring symbol of American engineering and the spirit of the West Coast.