Origins and Construction
The Eiffel Tower, the iconic wrought-iron landmark that dominates the Paris skyline, was conceived as the centerpiece of the 1889 Exposition Universelle. This world‘s fair was organized to showcase French industrialism and commemorate the centennial of the French Revolution. In 1886, the fair‘s organizing committee launched a design competition for a signature monument to serve as the exposition‘s entrance.
Out of over 100 proposals submitted, the radical design by renowned bridge engineer Gustave Eiffel was chosen. Eiffel, along with his trusted engineers Maurice Koechlin and Émile Nouguier, had recently designed the framework for the Statue of Liberty. For the Paris tower, they envisioned an unprecedented 300-meter (984 ft) lattice structure composed of wrought iron.
Construction on the foundations began in January 1887. The team utilized cutting-edge construction techniques, including the use of compressed air caissons to dig down to the bedrock and anchorages to secure the tower‘s legs. Prefabricated iron pieces manufactured in Eiffel‘s factories were transported to the site, where they were hoisted into place by steam cranes. In total, 18,038 pieces were joined together using 2.5 million rivets.
As the tower rose to its astonishing full height of 324 meters (1,063 ft), it garnered mixed reactions from the Parisian public and art world. A group of prominent artists and intellectuals protested what they considered an eyesore, penning the infamous "Artists against the Eiffel Tower" petition. However, the tower‘s harshest critics were won over by the time it opened to universal acclaim at the fair‘s opening on March 31, 1889.
An Instant Icon
The Eiffel Tower was an instant sensation at the Exposition Universelle, which attracted over 2 million visitors. Countless fairgoers, including celebrities like Thomas Edison, braved the 1,710-step climb to the top. By the fair‘s close in October 1889, nearly 2 million people had ascended the tower.
Though originally permitted to stand for just 20 years, the tower‘s popularity and value for scientific experiments secured its fate as a permanent fixture of the Paris landscape. It played a crucial role in early radio and television transmissions, including the first overseas radio broadcast in 1913 and live TV transmissions in 1925. During World War I, the tower served as a vital communications and observation post, intercepting enemy radio messages.
One of the most dramatic moments in the tower‘s history came in August 1944, when Hitler reportedly ordered the retreating German army to destroy the tower along with other Paris landmarks. The tower was saved thanks to the defiance of German General Dietrich von Choltitz, who disobeyed the command.
Construction Facts & Figures
- Height: 324 meters (1,063 ft)
- Material: Wrought iron
- Weight: 10,100 tons
- Number of parts: 18,038
- Number of rivets: 2.5 million
- Construction time: 2 years, 2 months, 5 days (1887-1889)
- Cost: 7,799,401.31 French gold francs (about $36 million today)
Cultural Impact and Legacy
Over its 130-year history, the Eiffel Tower has transcended its original purpose as a temporary exhibition centerpiece to become the definitive symbol of Paris and one of the most recognizable structures in the world. It has inspired countless reproductions and references in art, media, and popular culture.
Notable events and incidents at the tower throughout history have included:
- In 1905, pioneering aeronauts Frank Lahm and Owen Maddox dove over 90 meters from the tower in glider experiments
- In 1912, tailor Franz Reichelt died after jumping from the first level to test a homemade parachute
- Celebrated entertainers from Edith Piaf to Johnny Hallyday have performed on the tower‘s stages
- The names of 72 prominent French scientists and engineers are engraved on the side of the tower as a tribute
- An ice skating rink was installed on the first level during the winter of 2004-2005
- In 2017, Paris celebrated the tower‘s 300 millionth visitor since its opening
Today, the Eiffel Tower attracts nearly 7 million visitors per year and has cumulatively welcomed over 300 million visitors as of 2018, making it the most-visited paid monument in the world. It requires 60 tons of paint every 7 years and undergoes regular renovations to maintain its structural integrity, including a major 2-year renovation completed in 2022.
The tower‘s iconic status has made it a target for various stunts, protests, and even threats over the years. However, its stature as a national treasure and engineering marvel remains undiminished. As an emblem of Parisian identity, romance, and innovation, the Eiffel Tower endures as one of the world‘s most beloved and awe-inspiring landmarks.
Sources:
- Eiffel Tower Official Website. "The Tower: All There is to Know About the Iron Lady." Accessed June 3, 2023. https://www.toureiffel.paris/en/the-monument
- Gudek Snajdar, Natasha. "The History of the Eiffel Tower in 60 Seconds." Culture Trip, May 2, 2019. https://theculturetrip.com/europe/france/paris/articles/the-history-of-the-eiffel-tower-in-60-seconds/
- History.com Editors. "Eiffel Tower." History.com. Last modified September 30, 2019. https://www.history.com/topics/landmarks/eiffel-tower
- Loyrette, Henri. Gustave Eiffel. New York: Rizzoli, 1985.
- O‘Connor, J J, and E F Robertson. "Gustave Eiffel." MacTutor History of Mathematics Archive. Last modified February 1997. http://mathshistory.st-andrews.ac.uk/Biographies/Eiffel.html
- Vogüé, Melchior de. "Artists against the Eiffel Tower." Translated by Alisa Belanger. CACM Translations, March 1889. https://www.cmsn.org/wp-content/uploads/06-Melchior-de-Vogue.pdf
