According to Alemi and Stevenson, in models of the early solar system it is nearly impossible for Venus to avoid a big hit. Most likely, Venus was slammed early on and gained a moon from the resulting debris.
The Golden Gate Bridge was built simply, to connect San Francisco to Marin County. The San Francisco Bay has rough currents and ferries were the only way to get across. Building a bridge just made it easier.
To finance the bridge, the Golden Gate Bridge and Highway District was formed in 1928, consisting of San Francisco, Marin, Sonoma, Del Norte, and parts of Mendocino and Napa counties. These counties agreed to collectively take out a large bond, which would then be paid back through bridge tolls.