Completed in 1883, the Brooklyn Bridge was the first suspension bridge to use steel wire cables, providing the strength required for its record-breaking 1,595-foot span.

Romans built over 900 aqueducts throughout their empire, with some transporting water more than 60 miles using only gravity.

Taipei 101 features a 660-metric-ton steel sphere that oscillates in the opposite direction of the building's movement to counteract sway caused by high winds.

Architect William Le Baron Jenney used a steel frame for the 1885 Home Insurance Building, allowing it to reach ten stories without thick masonry walls.

At 828 meters tall, the Burj Khalifa is so high that people on the top floors see the sunset several minutes after those at ground level.

Steel is an alloy of iron and carbon with a high strength-to-weight ratio. Its inherent flexibility allows skyscrapers to sway safely in high winds without fracturing.

End-bearing piles transfer weight directly to bedrock, while friction piles distribute the load through the grip of soil along their entire surface.

Architect Irving Morrow selected the hue because it provides high visibility for ships in thick fog and complements the natural colors of the surrounding landscape.

The keystone is the final stone placed during construction. It uses compression to lock the other blocks in place and transfer weight to the vertical supports.

Tower Bridge's movable sections, known as bascules, are raised about 800 times a year. They were originally powered by steam to allow large ships to pass through.