The Brooklyn Bridge is a suspension bridge that connects Brooklyn and Manhattan over the East River. It was the first bridge made with steel cable wire and was also one of the first structures that utilized explosives and pneumatic caissons. At the time of its construction, it was the world's longest bridge, before being dethroned by the Forth bridge in 1890. Today it is an important part of New York City and has even been designated as a Historic Landmark by the National Park Service.