Joseph Strauss dreamed of a golden bridge spanning San Francisco Bay.
But people opposed it fearing it would never survive the strong tides, it would lower property values, it would ruin the view. More than 2,000 lawsuits were filed to stop the project.
Strauss persevered and, in 1930, at last won approval for a bond issue. But then the Great Depression settled over America and no one dared buy the first six million dollars in bonds to start construction.
Finally Strauss came to A.P. Giannini, founder of Bank of America. Giannini also had a vision — of serving fully California's growth.
Giannini asked one question: "How long will this bridge last?"
Struass replied, "Forever!" If cared for, it should have "life without end."
Giannini said, "California needs that bridge! We'll buy the bonds."
In 1933, the Golden Gate Bridge was begun.

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The Golden Gate Bridge: Vision, Genius and Expert Care
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