The Eiffel Tower, affectionately known as “La Tour Eiffel,” has long been a globally recognized symbol of Paris’s charm and innovative spirit. This magnificent structure was conceived as the centerpiece of the 1889 World’s Fair, a grand event commemorating the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution. The tower aimed to showcase France’s cutting-edge industrial prowess on the world stage.
The Eiffel Tower’s construction was a testament to engineering excellence, completed in a remarkably short timeframe of just two years, two months, and five days. Gustave Eiffel’s engineering firm utilized a staggering 7,300 tons of iron and 2.5 million rivets, resulting in a triumphant structure overlooking the Champs de Mars. The tower’s popularity during the World’s Fair was undeniable, drawing in over two million visitors.
Beyond the Obvious: Unveiling the Eiffel Tower’s Secrets
Though the Eiffel Tower is a beloved landmark, many are unaware of its fascinating hidden aspects. Despite being admired by over 300 million visitors since its grand opening, the tower still holds captivating secrets. Here, we delve into some of these little-known facts.
The Eiffel Tower’s iconic silhouette has been replicated worldwide, from Las Vegas and Prague to Tianducheng in China and even Paris, Texas. However, its design wasn’t universally embraced. Before its completion, a letter titled “Protest against the Tower of Monsieur Eiffel” was published in the newspaper Le Temps, signed by notable figures like Guy de Maupassant (who famously dined at the Eiffel Tower’s restaurant daily to avoid the sight of the tower), Alexandre Dumas, and other renowned artists. Their letter argued that the tower would be a “gigantic black factory chimney,” an eyesore that would diminish Paris’s architectural grandeur.
Despite the protests, the Eiffel Tower stood tall, defying its detractors and becoming one of the most visited monuments globally. The tower continues to captivate visitors, attracting almost seven million each year.
Unveiling the Eiffel Tower’s Inner Workings
Gustave Eiffel, the visionary behind the tower, reserved its uppermost level for himself, a private apartment he meticulously designed. In this exclusive space, he hosted prominent guests like Thomas Edison. Today, this area has been transformed into a recreation of Eiffel’s office, featuring lifelike wax figures of him, his daughter, and Edison, and is open to the public.
Although the tower bears Eiffel’s name, its design was actually the brainchild of Maurice Koechlin and Emile Nouguier, two engineers working for his company. They engaged the services of French architect Stephen Sauvestre to enhance the tower’s aesthetic appeal and address public concerns about its utilitarian design. This collaborative effort ultimately outshone over 100 other proposals, earning the coveted spot as the main attraction of the 1889 World’s Fair.
The Eiffel Tower: A Survivor’s Tale
The Eiffel Tower was initially intended to be a temporary structure, slated for demolition after 20 years. However, Eiffel cleverly incorporated a radio antenna and wireless telegraph transmitter into its design. This technological innovation proved instrumental in demonstrating the capabilities of radio technology to the government in 1910, securing a 70-year lease extension.
By 1980, the Eiffel Tower had become an enduring symbol of both Paris and France, firmly entrenched in the city’s identity and no longer facing the threat of demolition.
During World War II, the Eiffel Tower narrowly escaped destruction. As the Nazi forces lost their grip on occupied Paris, Adolf Hitler ordered his generals to raze the city. Plans were drawn up to demolish the tower using explosives. Fortunately, Allied troops intervened before the order could be executed. Subsequent air raids inflicted considerable damage on Paris, but the Eiffel Tower emerged from the war unscathed.
The Eiffel Tower’s Hidden Histories
The Eiffel Tower’s journey is intertwined with the lives of notable artists and engineers. Sculptor Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi, while designing his iconic “Liberty Enlightening the World,” sought guidance from his mentor, Eugène Viollet-le-Duc, to create the statue’s internal framework. After Viollet-le-Duc’s passing in 1879, Bartholdi turned to Eiffel and Koechlin, who had already demonstrated their expertise in ironwork with Lady Liberty, leading them to the Iron Lady (another nickname for the Eiffel Tower).
Over the years, the Eiffel Tower has served as a hub for various businesses, some of which have since vanished. These include the French newspaper Le Figaro, which occupied an office on the second floor during the 1889 World’s Fair, and on the first floor, a post office, a radio station, and a wooden theater designed by Sauvestre.
Eiffel, a fervent scientist, established a meteorology lab on the tower’s third floor, utilizing it for research in physics and aerodynamics. He even constructed a wind tunnel at the tower’s base. He also generously made the laboratory available to other scientists for their experiments.
An Iconic Landmark’s Secrets Unveiled
The Eiffel Tower, a massive iron structure, is remarkably wind-resistant and will sway gently during storms. However, the wind isn’t the only force that can cause the tower to move. The heat of the sun causes the iron to expand, increasing the tower’s height by a few centimeters during the summer months. The tower also leans slightly away from the sun, as the sun-facing side heats up faster than the remaining sides.
The Eiffel Tower is a tribute to scientific achievements, featuring the names of prominent French scientists and engineers from the 19th century. These names adorn Parisian streets and are also etched onto the tower. 72 of these names are engraved around the tower’s first floor, originally painted over in the early 20th century. Thanks to a restoration effort in the late 1980s, these tributes are once again visible to visitors.
The Eiffel Tower’s iconic appearance requires meticulous maintenance. To combat the effects of air pollution, bird droppings, and rust, a dedicated team of 50 specially trained painters diligently preserve the structure. They regularly inspect the tower for corrosion, remove worn sections, apply multiple layers of anti-rust primer, and coat the tower with 60 tons of paint, all by hand, adhering to the traditional techniques of Eiffel’s era. This intricate process can take anywhere from 18 months to three years, depending on weather conditions.
The Eiffel Tower’s captivating nighttime light show has evolved over the years. Its first light show coincided with the 1925 International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts. Automobile manufacturer Andre Citröen funded a dazzling display featuring 200,000 bulbs, showcasing a cascade of stars, alternating Zodiac symbols, comets, and, naturally, his car brand’s name during the finale.
Sixty years later, a new show featuring 336 yellow-orange spotlights emerged. The now-famous sparkling light show, composed of 20,000 bulbs, first illuminated the night sky on New Year’s Eve of 1999, marking the beginning of the new millennium. Today, this mesmerizing display can be enjoyed nightly for the first five minutes of every hour starting at 8 p.m. (depending on the time of year and darkness), culminating in a 10-minute grand finale at 1 a.m.
While the Eiffel Tower itself is in the public domain, its illumination is protected by copyright under French law. However, this stipulation only applies to images intended for professional use. Taking personal photographs of the Eiffel Tower and its mesmerizing nighttime light display is perfectly legal.
After conquering the Eiffel Tower’s stairs to reach the top, treat yourself to a glass of bubbly at the Champagne Bar. This celebratory toast enhances the breathtaking panoramic views, creating an unforgettable experience.
Gustave Eiffel’s legacy extends beyond the iconic Eiffel Tower. He played a significant role in designing numerous bridges, railways, and viaducts across Europe. Some of his most notable accomplishments include the Maria Pia bridge in Porto, Portugal; Nyugati (Western) Railway Station in Budapest, Hungary; Pont de les Piexateries Velles in Girona, Spain; and the Côte d’Azur Observatory’s dome in Nice, France.
At its grand opening in 1889, the Eiffel Tower stood as the tallest building in the world, towering over Paris at 312 meters (1,024 feet) and surpassing the Washington Monument’s record of 169 meters (554 feet). However, 40 years later, New York City’s Chrysler Building reached 319 meters (1,046 feet), claiming the new record until the Empire State Building’s debut in 1931, reaching a staggering 381 meters (1,250 feet). Despite losing the title, the Eiffel Tower’s reign for 40 years remains a remarkable feat.
