An Orange Idea for the Golden Gate Bridge

The Golden Gate Bridge in California is famous for its orange color. Its name comes from the Golden Gate, the waterway it crosses. But why did people choose orange instead of gray or gold? The answer starts before the bridge was finished.

A Useful First Coat

When the bridge's steel parts arrived, they had a reddish-orange coating. This first layer helped protect the metal from rust. Rust can form when steel meets water and air. The coating was not meant to be the final color. Yet Irving Morrow liked what he saw. Morrow was an architect who helped plan the bridge's look. He suggested a similar orange for its final paint.

A Color That Fits

Choosing paint for such a large bridge was a challenge. The color needed to look good beside both land and water. Morrow thought the warm orange looked right beside the nearby hills. It also stood out against the blue water and sky. Orange helped make the bridge more visible in fog, too. Visible means able to be seen.

The chosen shade is called International Orange. It is not just any orange from a paint box. This special shade gave the bridge a bright look that suited its setting. Today, painters touch up worn areas to help protect the steel and keep that familiar color.