What is the Eiffel Tower mainly used for?
The top of the tower is opened each day at 9:00 and closes at 18:00. During these hours, visitors can climb to the 98-meter-high summit for a view over Paris. In addition, the Eiffel Tower is used as a broadcasting station, a hotel, and a shopping mall. The bottom two floors of the tower are given over to two luxury hotels with 544 guest rooms ...
What are the special features of the Eiffel Tower?
Structural Members of Eiffel Tower
- 2.1 Floor System. The floor of all the observation deck is made up of wrought iron. ...
- 2.2 Beams. The large grid of trusses that span between the legs acts as a beam for the structure. These trusses are made up of wrought iron.
- 2.3 Legs. The Eiffel Tower consists of four legs. ...
How did the Eiffel Tower become famous?
Why is the Eiffel Tower Famous? It is famous because the tower is in almost every photo taken of the Paris skyline, and in almost every film set in this city. It’s also one of the most unique structures in the world, climbing it is a bucket list experience you won’t ever forget.
What is the Eiffel Tower famous for?
10 Interesting Facts About The Eiffel Tower
- The Eiffel Tower is known by the French as La Dame de Fer or 'The Iron Lady'
- The Eiffel Tower is painted every seven years in 60 tons of paint
- The tower is painted in three different shades of 'Eiffel Brown' that get lighter the higher up it goes
- The Eiffel Tower grows and shrinks by as much as six inches in the sun
Why was the Eiffel Tower built and who built it?
The Eiffel Tower was built by Gustave Eiffel for the 1889 Exposition Universelle, which was to celebrate the 100th year anniversary of the French Revolution.
Does Eiffel Tower serve any purpose?
The tower was designed as the centerpiece of the 1889 World's Fair in Paris and was meant to commemorate the centennial of the French Revolution and show off France's modern mechanical prowess on a world stage.
What are 5 facts about the Eiffel Tower?
10 surprising facts about the Parisian icon.The Eiffel Tower was once yellow. ... It was built to celebrate the centennial of the French Revolution. ... For four decades it was the world's tallest structure. ... The Eiffel Tower was once the world's largest billboard. ... Gustave Eiffel designed part of another famous landmark.More items...•
What is the mystery behind the Eiffel Tower?
Underneath the Eiffel Tower of Paris, there is a bunker A secret military bunker was built underneath the Tower. It is supposed that the bunker is linked with the military school from the nearby area through a secret tunnel. Today the bunker is home of a small museum and can be visited when you visit the monument.
What are some other uses for the Eiffel Tower?
Indeed, from 1889, the Eiffel Tower was used as a laboratory of measurements and scientific experiments. Considerable scientific apparatus was installed (barometers, anemometers, lightning conductors etc.).
What is the Eiffel Towers main use today?
Since the tower's 1889 opening, 250 million people from around the world have enjoyed all that the Eiffel Tower has to offer. And it has a lot to offer. The tower's three platforms are home to two restaurants, several buffets, a banquet hall, a champagne bar and many unique gift shops.
Who designed the Eiffel Tower?
The design of the Eiffel Tower is attributed to Maurice Koechlin and Émile Nouguier, two senior engineers working for the Compagnie des Établissements Eiffel. It was envisioned after discussion about a suitable centrepiece for the proposed 1889 Exposition Universelle, a world's fair to celebrate the centennial of the French Revolution. Eiffel openly acknowledged that inspiration for a tower came from the Latting Observatory built in New York City in 1853. In May 1884, working at home, Koechlin made a sketch of their idea, described by him as "a great pylon, consisting of four lattice girders standing apart at the base and coming together at the top, joined together by metal trusses at regular intervals". Eiffel initially showed little enthusiasm, but he did approve further study, and the two engineers then asked Stephen Sauvestre, the head of company's architectural department, to contribute to the design. Sauvestre added decorative arches to the base of the tower, a glass pavilion to the first level, and other embellishments.
How tall is the Eiffel Tower?
The Eiffel Tower is the most-visited paid monument in the world; 6.91 million people ascended it in 2015. The tower is 324 metres (1,063 ft) tall, about the same height as an 81-storey building, and the tallest structure in Paris. Its base is square, measuring 125 metres (410 ft) on each side.
How long did it take to climb the Eiffel Tower?
Because the lifts were not yet in operation, the ascent was made by foot, and took over an hour, with Eiffel stopping frequently to explain various features. Most of the party chose to stop at the lower levels, but a few, including the structural engineer, Émile Nouguier, the head of construction, Jean Compagnon, the President of the City Council, and reporters from Le Figaro and Le Monde Illustré, completed the ascent. At 2:35 pm, Eiffel hoisted a large Tricolour to the accompaniment of a 25-gun salute fired at the first level.
How were the legs of the Eiffel Tower constructed?
At this stage, a small "creeper" crane designed to move up the tower was installed in each leg. They made use of the guides for the lifts which were to be fitted in the four legs. The critical stage of joining the legs at the first level was completed by the end of March 1888. Although the metalwork had been prepared with the utmost attention to detail, provision had been made to carry out small adjustments to precisely align the legs; hydraulic jacks were fitted to the shoes at the base of each leg, capable of exerting a force of 800 tonnes, and the legs were intentionally constructed at a slightly steeper angle than necessary, being supported by sandboxes on the scaffold. Although construction involved 300 on-site employees, due to Eiffel's safety precautions and the use of movable gangways, guardrails and screens, only one person died.
What did Gustave Eiffel say about the pyramids?
Gustave Eiffel responded to these criticisms by comparing his tower to the Egyptian pyramids: "My tower will be the tallest edifice ever erected by man. Will it not also be grandiose in its way? And why would something admirable in Egypt become hideous and ridiculous in Paris?" These criticisms were also dealt with by Édouard Lockroy in a letter of support written to Alphand, sardonically saying, "Judging by the stately swell of the rhythms, the beauty of the metaphors, the elegance of its delicate and precise style, one can tell this protest is the result of collaboration of the most famous writers and poets of our time", and he explained that the protest was irrelevant since the project had been decided upon months before, and construction on the tower was already under way.
What was the protest of Gustave Eiffel?
Artists' protest. Caricature of Gustave Eiffel comparing the Eiffel tower to the Pyramids. The proposed tower had been a subject of controversy, drawing criticism from those who did not believe it was feasible and those who objected on artistic grounds.
Why did Eiffel engrave the names of the scientists on the Eiffel Tower?
Gustave Eiffel engraved on the tower the names of 72 French scientists, engineers and mathematicians in recognition of their contributions to the building of the tower. Eiffel chose this "invocation of science" because of his concern over the artists' protest. At the beginning of the 20th century, the engravings were painted over, but they were restored in 1986–87 by the Société Nouvelle d'exploitation de la Tour Eiffel, a company operating the tower.
Why was the Eiffel Tower built?
The Eiffel Tower was built to be one the main attractions at the Paris World's Fair in 1889. That year, the World's Fair covered the entire Champ de Mars in Paris and its focus was the vast constructions in iron and steel that were the great industrial advancement of that time.
Who built the Eiffel Tower?
The Eiffel Tower was built from 1887 to 1889 by French engineer Gustave Eiffel, whose company specialized in building metal frameworks and structures. Gustave Eiffel is at the origin of many metallic works in Europe including the Porto Viaduct (Portugal), the Viaduct du Garabit (France) and the Budapest train station (Hungary).
What kind of metal is the Eiffel Tower made of?
The Eiffel Tower is made of iron , not steel. The puddle iron that makes up the Eiffel Tower's structure came from the Pompey forges (East of France). The iron plates and beams produced through the puddling process were then preassembled in the Eiffel factories in Levallois Perret using rivets.
What does the Eiffel Tower represent for French people?
At first, when it was built for the 1889 World's Fair, it impressed the entire world by its stature and daring design, and symbolized French know-how and industrial genius.
How many days did it take to build the Eiffel Tower?
The Eiffel Tower was built in record time: 2 years, 2 months and 5 days. From late January 1887 to March 31, 1889. In addition to the technical and architectural prowess, the Tower's rapid construction also represented an unparalleled achievement at that time.
Is it illegal to take pictures of the Eiffel Tower at night?
There is nothing that says you can't take photos of the Eiffel Tower at night. Private individuals are free to take pictures of the Eiffel Tower at night for private use or to share on social networks, for example.
How many people died during the construction of the Eiffel Tower?
There were no serious injuries or deaths during the construction of the Eiffel Tower.
When was the Eiffel Tower built?
The construction of the Eiffel Tower was carried out between 1887 and 1889. The tower held the record for world’s tallest structure between 1889 and 1930 but remained as France’s tallest structure for many decades. The tower is named after Gustave Eiffel, the civil engineer behind the construction of the tower.
What are the features of the Eiffel Tower?
There have been numerous additional features incorporated into the Eiffel Tower since its completion. Radio aerial found at the top of the tower was added in 1957. Illuminated Citroen signage was placed on the tower in 1925, making the tower the world’s tallest space for advertising. The first level of the tower hosts a seasonal ice rink, a feature that was added in 2004. The 2014 refurbishment of the tower saw the installation of a glass floor on the first level. Maintenance of the tower involves regular repainting of the entire tower, a task that is done after every seven years. The tower has undergone repainting works 19 times since its construction, which involved painting the tower’s structure with lead paint. However, the use of lead paint in the tower’s repainting was stopped in 2001 due to environmental concerns linked to lead.
Why was the Tower of Paris not dismantled?
However, the City of Paris decided not to dismantle the tower due to its significance in communication, as radio aerials had been installed on the tower. The tower would face its highest risk of demolition during the Second World War, after Adolf Hitler, facing imminent defeat in France, instructed his Paris military governor, General von Choltitz to demolish the tower, but the general declined to follow the orders.
When was the Eiffel Tower ready for the 1889 Exposition?
The tower was not ready for the start of the 1889 Exposition on May 6th, as works on the lifts continued until May 26th. The tower proved to be a crowd puller during the exposition, with more than 1.89 million people visiting the structure.
Who designed the exposition tower?
Gustave was pleased with the design, which he patented and submitted to the organizers of the Exposition for consideration. The tower was chosen to be the centerpiece of the exposition, and Gustave secured a grant towards the construction of the tower. Construction of the tower commenced in January 1887 when its foundations were laid ...
Why was the paint on the tower stopped?
However, the use of lead paint in the tower’s repainting was stopped in 2001 due to environmental concerns linked to lead. Joseph Kiprop March 14 2018 in World Facts. Home.
What is the Eiffel Tower?
Today, the Eiffel Tower, which continues to serve an important role in television and radio broadcasts, is considered an architectural wonder and attracts more visitors than any other paid ...
How often is the Eiffel Tower painted?
Now one of the most recognizable structures on the planet, the Eiffel Tower underwent a major facelift in 1986 and is repainted every seven years. It welcomes more visitors than any other paid monument in the world—an estimated 7 million people per year.
How many points are there in the compass of the Eiffel Tower?
Did you know? The base pillars of the Eiffel Tower are oriented with the four points of the compass.
How many pieces of puddle iron were used in the Eiffel Tower?
Eiffel reportedly rejected Koechlin’s original plan for the tower, instructing him to add more ornate flourishes. The final design called for more than 18,000 pieces of puddle iron, a type of wrought iron used in construction, and 2.5 million rivets.
What was the purpose of the World's Fair in 1889?
In 1889, Paris hosted an Exposition Universelle (World’s Fair) to mark the 100-year anniversary of the French Revolution. More than 100 artists submitted competing plans for a monument to be built on the Champ-de-Mars, located in central Paris, and serve as the exposition’s entrance.
When was the Eiffel Tower torn down?
Originally intended as a temporary exhibit, the Eiffel Tower was almost torn down and scrapped in 1909. City officials opted to save it after recognizing its value as a radiotelegraph station.
Is the Eiffel Tower open to the public?
Initially, only the Eiffel Tower’s second-floor platform was open to the public; later, all three levels, two of which now feature restaurants, would be reachable by stairway or one of eight elevators. Millions of visitors during and after the World’s Fair marveled at Paris’ newly erected architectural wonder.
Why was the Eiffel Tower built?
The Eiffel Tower was initially built to serve as the entrance gateway to the International Exposition of 1889 as well as a testament to French industrial ingenuity. It has since come to represent the distinct character of the city of Paris.
How long did it take to build the Eiffel Tower?
Peter’s in Rome or the Great Pyramid of Giza. In contrast to such older monuments, the tower was erected in only about two years (1887–89), with a small labour force, at slight cost.
How tall is the Eiffel Tower?
The tower itself is 300 metres (984 feet) high. It rests on a base that is 5 metres (17 feet) high, and a television antenna atop the tower gives it a total elevation of 324 metres (1,063 feet). The Eiffel Tower was the tallest structure in the world until the topping off of the Chrysler Building in New York City in 1929.
How does the Eiffel Tower work?
By contrast, the four semicircular arches at the tower’s base are purely aesthetic elements that serve no structural function. Because of their unique shape, which was dictated partly by engineering considerations but also partly by Eiffel’s artistic sense, the piers required elevators to ascend on a curve; the glass-cage machines designed by the Otis Elevator Company of the United States became one of the principal features of the building, helping establish it as one of the world’s premier tourist attractions.
When was the Eiffel Tower commissioned?
Take in a top to bottom look at Paris's Eiffel Tower commissioned for International Exposition of 1889. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. See all videos for this article. Eiffel Tower, French Tour Eiffel, Parisian landmark that is also a technological masterpiece in building-construction history. When the French government was organizing ...
Who designed the Eiffel Tower?
The Eiffel Tower (1887–89), the most important emblem of the Paris exhibition of 1889, was designed by Gustave Eiffel, an engineer who had done outstanding work in the Paris Exposition of 1878 and in steel structures such as the trussed parabolic arches in the viaduct at…
What is the Eiffel Tower made of?
The Eiffel Tower is made almost entirely of open-lattice wrought iron. Gustave Eiffel used his advanced knowledge of the behaviour of metal arch and metal truss forms under loading to design a light and airy but strong structure that presaged a revolution in civil engineering and architectural design.
Why was the Eiffel Tower built?
The first and main reason the tower was designed and constructed was to commemorate the 100-year anniversary of the French Revolution in Europe as part of the 1889 World’s Fair held in Paris. The French Revolution was aimed at eliminating the divine right of kings and ending dictatorships to install a democratic system of government.
How long did it take to build the Eiffel Tower?
Lasting just over two years, construction of the Eiffel tower began on the 26th of January, 1887 and was completed on the 31st of March, 1889. With a towering height of 324 meters, the tower is made up of seven thousand tons of steel.
Why is the Eiffel Tower still standing?
Thankfully, it was saved by politicians and scientists who wanted to use it as a radio transmission tower, which is why the Eiffel Tower still stands today.
Why was the Eiffel Tower demolished?
After which time several people wanted it to be demolished and used for scrap metal purposes.
How many people visit the Eiffel Tower each year?
Today, the Eiffel Tower is of great importance in France and its tourism industry with 6.8 million visitors each year and 250 million visitors since it was built. From the top of the tower, you can see as far as 42 miles or 67 kilometres.
Why was the World's Fair so important?
From 1800 to 1938 the World’s Fair exhibitions were focused on trade, and were famous for the display of technological inventions and advancements and served as a platform for state-of-the-art advancement in science and technology from around the world were brought together. Which brings us to the second reason why the Eiffel tower was built.
Where is the Eiffel Tower located?
The iconic Eiffel Tower located in Paris, France is world famous and a visit to its top is a must! But when was the Eiffel Tower built and why? But more importantly, who built ‘la Tour Eiffel’? What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Paris, or even France ?
What was the Eiffel Tower used for?
Indeed, from 1889, the Eiffel Tower was used as a laboratory of measurements and scientific experiments. Considerable scientific apparatus was installed (barometers, anemometers, lightning conductors etc.). Moreover, Gustave Eiffel set himself an office aside on the third floor to make astronomical and physiological observations.
How long did the Eiffel Tower last?
Gustave Eiffel knew that the scientific uses of the Tower could prolong its lifespan. The Eiffel Tower was actually supposed to be dismantled after 20 years! That is why he allowed numerous scientific experiments to be carried out – meteorological and astronomical observations, physics, air resistance, etc.
How many experiments did Gustave Eiffel do?
Additionally, Gustave Eiffel encouraged numerous scientific experiments on the Tower: Foucault’s Pendulum, the mercury pressure gauge, physiological studies and radio contact (1898).
What did Gustave Eiffel study?
Aerodynamic studies. On the day after the Tower’s very inauguration, Gustave Eiffel installed a meteorology laboratory on the 3rd floor. He also had a passion for aerodynamics and carried out a series of observations on gravity (leading to the installation from 1903 to 1905 of gravity instruments). He imagined “an automatic system ...
How long did it take for the Eiffel Tower to be destroyed?
The Eiffel Tower was supposed to be destroyed only 20 years after its construction . To remedy the situation, Gustave Eiffel had the ingenious idea of crediting it with a scientific purpose – the Tower was saved!
How many scientists are on the Eiffel Tower?
The names of the 72 scientists listed on the borders of each of the four sides of the Eiffel Tower. These 72 scientists were engraved by Gustave Eiffel in homage to the men of science. Having disappeared during a painting campaign at the beginning of the century, they were restored in 1986 and 1987.
How tall is the Eiffel Tower?
The new antenna made the Eiffel Tower reach a height of 320.75 metres. In 2000, a new UHF (Ultra High Frequency) antenna led to another modification in the Tower’s height, which was now 324 m.
When was the Eiffel Tower built?
The Eiffel Tower was built in months, for the World’s Fair of 1889 (?) and became a symbol of Paris to the whole world.
How long did it take to build the Eiffel Tower?
It took 2 years, 2 months and 5 days to build the tower, a feat that is truly remarkable considering that the builders did not have access to modern technology and tools that are present today.
What is the Eiffel Tower?
The Eiffel Tower—or as the French call it, La Tour Eiffel—is one of the world’s most recognizable landmarks. The tower was designed as the centerpiece of the 1889 World's Fair in Paris and was meant to commemorate the centennial of the French Revolution and show off France’s modern mechanical prowess on a world stage.
Why was the exposition universel built?
It was build as a status symbol for the Paris « exposition universel » in 1889 to celebrate the centenary of the French Revolution. It took less than 2 years to build
Why did France organize a universal exhibition?
France decided to organize a universal exhibition (1889) to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution. many projects were submitted. It was a competition for the construction of an exceptional monument.
Why was the Spike built?
It was built for mooring airships at the Great Exhibition of Paris. The ‘Spike’ on the Empire State Building NY, was built for the same purpose. Goodness knows how/if you could disembark!
When was the Universelle built?
It was originally designed to serve as the entrance to the Paris ‘Exposition Universelle’ of 1889. Construction started in 1887.
Overview
History
The design of the Eiffel Tower is attributed to Maurice Koechlin and Émile Nouguier, two senior engineers working for the Compagnie des Établissements Eiffel. It was envisioned after discussion about a suitable centerpiece for the proposed 1889 Exposition Universelle, a world's fair to celebrate the centennial of the French Revolution. Eiffel openly acknowledged that inspiration for a tower …
Design
The puddle iron (wrought iron) of the Eiffel Tower weighs 7,300 tonnes, and the addition of lifts, shops and antennae have brought the total weight to approximately 10,100 tonnes. As a demonstration of the economy of design, if the 7,300 tonnes of metal in the structure were melted down, it would fill the square base, 125 metres (410 ft) on each side, to a depth of only 6.25 cm (2.4…
Tourism
The nearest Paris Métro station is Bir-Hakeim and the nearest RER station is Champ de Mars-Tour Eiffel. The tower itself is located at the intersection of the quai Branly and the Pont d'Iéna.
More than 250 million people have visited the tower since it was completed in 1889. In 2015, there were 6.91 million visitors. The tower is the most-visited pa…
Replicas
As one of the most iconic landmarks in the world, the Eiffel Tower has been the inspiration for the creation of many replicas and similar towers. An early example is Blackpool Tower in England. The mayor of Blackpool, Sir John Bickerstaffe, was so impressed on seeing the Eiffel Tower at the 1889 exposition that he commissioned a similar tower to be built in his town. It ope…
Communications
The tower has been used for making radio transmissions since the beginning of the 20th century. Until the 1950s, sets of aerial wires ran from the cupola to anchors on the Avenue de Suffren and Champ de Mars. These were connected to longwave transmitters in small bunkers. In 1909, a permanent underground radio centre was built near the south pillar, which still exists today. On 20 November …
Illumination copyright
The tower and its image have been in the public domain since 1993, 70 years after Eiffel's death. In June 1990 a French court ruled that a special lighting display on the tower in 1989 to mark the tower's 100th anniversary was an "original visual creation" protected by copyright. The Court of Cassation, France's judicial court of last resort, upheld the ruling in March 1992. The Société d'Expl…
See also
• List of tallest buildings and structures in the Paris region
• List of tallest buildings and structures in the world
• List of tallest towers in the world
• List of tallest freestanding structures in the world