Steel is produced in many forms, and its composition varies greatly from one application to the next. Structural steel is the common name for the material that is used for buildings, bridges, and structures in general. With properties that allow it to withstand the effects of high winds, earthquakes, and other types of loads, it has been the construction material for a very large number of structures since 1874. That was the year of completion of the Eads Bridge in St. Louis, Missouri, recognized worldwide as the first application of what is called structural steel today. Since then, the number and types of projects where steel has been the key material has increased exponentially, including such historical examples as the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Empire State Building in New York, and the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.