The Brooklyn Bridge was designed by German immigrant John Roebling (who died in 1869 due to an injury while working on a dock) and engineered by son Washington (who while working in the towers or caissons, became incapacitated with decompression sickness-aka the bends) aided by his wife, Emily. Upon its completion in 1883 -after almost 14 years- it was the world’s longest suspension bridge (supported by overhead cables) at about 1,595 feet between the 2 two towers and about 6,000 feet including approaches. Its purpose was to span the East River to connect, what was then, the two separate cities of Brookly and New York (Manhattan).