Mitchell Starc became the most successful left-arm fast bowler in history as he claimed 6-71, but the opening sessions of the day-night contest were dominated by Root, who scored a masterful 135 not out.
Number 11 Jofra Archer thrilled the travelling army of fans as he smashed a career-best unbeaten 32 off 26 balls with two sixes to provide some late fireworks.
His unbroken 10th-wicket partnership of 61 with Root was a record for England at the Gabba.
The world’s top-ranked batsman, Root had failed to reach triple figures on three previous Ashes tours.
But the man who is second on the all-time run-scoring list behind only Sachin Tendulkar silenced the critics who said he couldn’t be considered a true batting great until he had made a century in Australia.
“Unbelievable day for Joe. He has had that coming for a long time. I’m chuffed for him,” said Zak Crawley, who made 76 and shared a 117-run stand for the third wicket with Root. “He’s the best player I’ve ever played with or against. A champion bloke.”
Coming to the crease in the third over at 5-2 with Starc swinging the new pink ball, he embarked on an epic knock, bringing up his century with a leg glance to the fine leg boundary off Scott Boland.
Starc’s six wickets moved him to 418 in Tests, surpassing Pakistan great Wasim Akram’s 414 as the most prolific left-arm paceman in Test history.
“Wasim’s still the pinnacle, I think he’s still better than me,” said Starc.
Starc again was the destroyer at the top of the order, removing Ben Duckett in his first over and Ollie Pope in his second to reduce a shell-shocked England to 5-2.
But unlike in the first Test defeat in Perth, England showed some grit with the partnership between Root and Crawley moving the score onto 122. (AFP)