When it was constructed in 1883, it was the largest suspension bridge and the first to be made of steel. John A. Roebling conceived the idea, while icebound on a ferry to Brooklyn. The bridge took 16 years to build and claimed over 20 lives, including that of Roebling's (his son, Washington Roebling, took over. After he became paralyzed, his wife took over). Most died of caisson disease (more commonly known as the bends) after coming up from underground excavation chambers. When finished, it was 277 ft (84 m) tall at the towers and 3,579 ft (1,091 m) long. It connects Brooklyn and Manhattan.