Marcus Chen
The Golden Gate Bridge is famous for its International Orange colour, which was selected by consulting architect Irving Morrow. The bridge was originally painted with red lead primer and a lead-based topcoat, which was touched up as required. In the mid-1960s, a program was implemented to improve corrosion protection by stripping the original paint and repainting the bridge with zinc silicate primer and vinyl topcoats. Since 1990, acrylic topcoats have been used instead for air-quality reasons. The Golden Gate Bridge's unique colour has transformed it into an iconic structure recognised around the world.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year the Golden Gate Bridge opened | 1937 |
| Consulting architect | Irving Morrow |
| Bridge's color | International Orange |
| Other color options | Black and yellow stripes, red and white stripes, candy cane stripes |
| Original paint | Red lead primer and a lead-based topcoat |
| Current paint | Acrylic topcoats |
| Number of painters | 38 |
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What You'll Learn
- The Golden Gate Bridge's colour is 'International Orange'
- The consulting architect, Irving Morrow, championed the unique shade
- The Navy suggested black and yellow stripes for visibility
- The bridge was originally painted with red lead primer and a lead-based topcoat
- Since 1990, acrylic topcoats have been used for air-quality reasons
The Golden Gate Bridge's colour is 'International Orange'
The Golden Gate Bridge is painted in a unique shade of "International Orange". This iconic colour was chosen by Irving F. Morrow, the consulting architect of the bridge. Morrow's personal selection of the hue won out over other possibilities, including the US Navy's suggestion of black and yellow stripes to ensure visibility for passing ships. Morrow had to convince the Department of War, the permitting agency at the time, that the vibrant colour was a fitting choice for the monumental structure.
The reddish-orange primer that inspired Morrow was being used on some of the steel during construction. Morrow recognised the visual appeal of this colour against the backdrop of the bay's hills, ocean, and sky. He believed that the colour should be as unique as the bridge itself, stating that "What has been thus played up in form should not be let down in colour". Morrow's vision aimed to harmonise the bridge with its surroundings.
The Golden Gate Bridge's colour defied conventions and transformed the bridge into an internationally recognised icon. The formula for the paint mixture can be found on the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District's website.
The bridge was originally painted with red lead primer and a lead-based topcoat, which was touched up as required. In the mid-1960s, a programme was started to improve corrosion protection by stripping the original paint and repainting the bridge with zinc silicate primer and vinyl topcoats. Since 1990, acrylic topcoats have been used instead for air-quality reasons.
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The consulting architect, Irving Morrow, championed the unique shade
Morrow's choice of "International Orange" was a bold departure from the norms of bridge design at the time, which typically favoured subdued shades of grey, silver, or black. The Golden Gate Bridge's distinctive hue became a defining feature, transforming it into an iconic symbol recognised around the world. The colour was specifically formulated for the bridge and has come to be associated with its image.
The selection of the colour was not without opposition. Morrow had to convince the Department of War, the permitting agency, that the vibrant hue was appropriate for the largest suspension span ever built at the time. The Navy suggested black and yellow stripes for visibility, while the Army Air Corps proposed red and white stripes. Morrow successfully advocated for his chosen colour, and the bridge's unique shade of "International Orange" became a reality.
The Golden Gate Bridge's colour is a testament to Morrow's architectural vision and has become an integral part of its identity. The formula for the paint mixture is now publicly available on the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District's website, allowing anyone to recreate the iconic shade. The bridge's colour has inspired people to paint their bikes, trim their houses, and more, showcasing the lasting influence of Morrow's bold colour choice.
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The Navy suggested black and yellow stripes for visibility
The Golden Gate Bridge is a testament to human ingenuity, artistic vision, and the convergence of engineering and art. Its distinctive colour, "International Orange", was chosen by Irving F. Morrow, the consulting architect of the bridge. Morrow's selection of this unique hue, which stands out from the subdued shades of grey, silver, or black commonly used on bridges at the time, was a bold choice. He recognised the visual appeal of the reddish-orange primer being used on some of the steel during construction and believed that the colour should be as unique as the bridge itself.
However, Morrow's vision for the bridge's colour scheme faced opposition from the Navy, who suggested painting it with black and yellow stripes. The Navy's proposal was motivated by a desire to ensure visibility for passing ships. This suggestion was in line with the Navy's focus on functionality and safety, as the bold contrast of black and yellow stripes would have made the bridge more easily visible against the backdrop of the bay.
The Navy's suggestion for black and yellow stripes was not the only alternative proposal considered. The Army Air Corps, for example, proposed a red-and-white stripe colour scheme. Despite these suggestions, Morrow successfully advocated for his chosen colour, "International Orange". His persistence in promoting this unique hue paid off, and it ultimately became synonymous with the bridge's image.
The Golden Gate Bridge's colour is not only a result of Morrow's aesthetic vision but also a practical choice. The bridge is named for its location above the Golden Gate Strait, the entrance to the San Francisco Bay from the Pacific Ocean, rather than its hue. The reddish-orange primer that inspired Morrow was originally used for its corrosion-resistant properties, providing a functional foundation for the bridge's iconic paint job.
While the Navy's suggestion of black and yellow stripes for improved visibility was well-intentioned, the Golden Gate Bridge District ultimately rejected it. They recognised that Morrow's chosen colour, "International Orange", not only complemented the bridge's art deco design but also harmonised with its natural surroundings. The unique hue stood out against the bay's hills, ocean, and sky, transforming the bridge into an iconic symbol recognised around the world.
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The bridge was originally painted with red lead primer and a lead-based topcoat
The Golden Gate Bridge was originally painted with red lead primer and a lead-based topcoat. The bridge, which opened in 1937, was the longest suspension bridge in the world at the time, with over 10 million square feet of steel to be painted. The consulting architect, Irving Morrow, championed the unique international orange colour, which was a daring departure from the norms of the time. Most bridges were painted in subdued shades of grey, silver, or black. Morrow's vision was to create a structure that was not only functional but also a work of art. He wanted the colour to harmonise with the bridge's natural surroundings, believing that "what has been thus played up in form should not be let down in colour".
The name "Golden Gate Bridge" is derived from the Golden Gate Strait, the entrance to San Francisco Bay from the Pacific Ocean, rather than the colour of the bridge. The term "Golden Gate" has historical significance, and the bridge stands as a sentinel at this iconic maritime passage. The reddish-orange primer was being used on some of the steel during construction, and Morrow recognised its visual appeal against the backdrop of the bay's hills, ocean, and sky.
The international orange colour was a special mixture formulated just for the Golden Gate Bridge. The exact paint mixture can now be found on the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway, and Transportation District's website. The bridge's lighting and art deco styling were also designed by Morrow. The bridge's paint has undergone changes over the years, with a program started in the mid-1960s to improve corrosion protection by stripping the original paint and repainting with zinc silicate primer and vinyl topcoats. Since 1990, acrylic topcoats have been used for air-quality reasons, and the bridge is now maintained by 38 painters who touch up the paintwork where it becomes seriously corroded.
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Since 1990, acrylic topcoats have been used for air-quality reasons
The Golden Gate Bridge is famous for its "International Orange" colour. The bridge was originally painted with red lead primer and a lead-based topcoat, which was touched up as required. In the 1960s, a programme was initiated to improve corrosion protection by stripping the original paint and repainting the bridge with zinc silicate primer and vinyl topcoats.
The Golden Gate Bridge's distinctive colour is a result of its unique history and the vision of its consulting architect, Irving F. Morrow. During construction, Morrow noticed the striking reddish-orange primer painted on some of the steel. Recognising the visual appeal of this colour against the backdrop of the bay's hills, ocean, and sky, he championed the idea of painting the entire bridge in this unique shade.
Morrow's selection of "International Orange" was a bold departure from the norms of bridge design at the time, which typically favoured subdued shades of grey, silver, or black. His vision was to create a structure that was not only functional but also a work of art, harmonising with its natural surroundings. The colour was specifically chosen to complement the dramatic setting of the bridge, which spans the Golden Gate Strait, the entrance to San Francisco Bay from the Pacific Ocean.
The name "Golden Gate Bridge" is derived from this geographical location rather than the bridge's hue. Morrow had to advocate strongly for his chosen colour, as other government agencies, including the Navy and the Army Air Corp, had proposed more traditional stripe designs in black, yellow, and red. Ultimately, Morrow's persistence paid off, and "International Orange" became synonymous with the iconic image of the Golden Gate Bridge.
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Frequently asked questions
The bridge is painted in "International Orange".
Consulting architect Irving Morrow noticed the reddish-orange primer painted on some of the steel and championed the idea of painting the bridge in this unique shade.
The Navy suggested black and yellow stripes, while the Army Air Corp proposed red and white stripes.
