Golden Gate Bridge color not just primer

A common myth is that the Golden Gate Bridge’s International Orange color was simply the construction primer left on the steel. In fact, architect Irving Morrow selected International Orange for aesthetic reasons and visibility; the final color was specified rather than left as-is. The color choice also addressed concerns about visibility in fog and complemented the natural surroundings. The Golden Gate Bridge opened in 1937 and the color remains one of its defining features.