Golden Gate Bridge color is International Orange
The Golden Gate Bridge, an iconic symbol of San Francisco, is renowned for its distinctive color known as International Orange. This color was chosen for both aesthetic and practical reasons, creating a visual harmony with the surrounding landscape while enhancing visibility for maritime navigation.
Irving Morrow, the consulting architect, played a pivotal role in selecting this unique hue. Originally, the U.S. Navy proposed a yellow and black striped color scheme to improve visibility for ships navigating through foggy conditions. However, Morrow discovered a reddish-orange primer used during construction, which he felt complemented the natural scenery of the bay and hills. This led to the adoption of International Orange, a color that contrasts beautifully with the often gray skies and blue waters of San Francisco Bay.
The specific formulation for International Orange is as follows:
CMYK Values:
- Cyan: 0%
- Magenta: 69%
- Yellow: 100%
- Black: 6%[1][3].
This color is not just a random shade; it has been designed to blend with the environment while standing out against the backdrop of fog and sea. The paint system has evolved over time, transitioning from lead-based paints to more environmentally friendly options like inorganic zinc silicate primers and acrylic emulsion topcoats.
Maintaining the bridge's vibrant color is an ongoing task that requires significant effort. A dedicated team of painters and ironworkers regularly works to ensure that the bridge remains visually striking against its natural setting.
For more information:
GoldenGate.org
sanfranciscojeeptours.com
goldengate.org 2
sfchronicle.com
npr.org
