Why built the eiffel tower

The pieces were hauled up by steam cranes, which themselves climbed up the Tower as they went along using the runners to be used for the Tower's lifts. It only took five months to build the foundations and twenty-one to finish assembling the metal pieces of the Tower. Considering the rudimentary means available at that period, this could be considered record speed. The assembly of the Tower was a marvel of precision , as all chroniclers of the period agree.

The construction work began in January and was finished on March 31, On the narrow platform at the top, Eiffel received his decoration from the Legion of Honour. Over there they were still working on the bolts: workmen with their iron bludgeons, perched on a ledge just a few centimetres wide, took turns at striking the bolts these in fact were the rivets.

One could have taken them for blacksmiths contentedly beating out a rhythm on an anvil in some village forge, except that these smiths were not striking up and down vertically, but horizontally, and as with each blow came a shower of sparks , these black figures, appearing larger than life against the background of the open sky, looked as if they were reaping lightning bolts in the clouds.

Lemercier, Paris Even before the end of its construction, the Tower was already at the heart of much debate. Enveloped in criticism from the biggest names in the world of Art and Literature, the Tower managed to stand its ground and achieve the success it deserved.

The Exposition Universelle of Charles Garnier. Alexandre Dumas. Once the Tower was finished the criticism burnt itself out in the presence of the completed masterpiece, and in the light of the enormous popular success with which it was greeted. It received two million visitors during the World's Fair of Is the City of Paris any longer to associate itself with the baroque and mercantile fancies of a builder of machines, thereby making itself irreparably ugly and bringing dishonour?

To comprehend what we are arguing one only needs to imagine for a moment a tower of ridiculous vertiginous height dominating Paris,just like a gigantic black factory chimney, its barbarous mass overwhelming and humiliating all our monuments and belittling our works of architecture, which will just disappear before this stupefying folly. And for twenty years we shall see spreading across the whole city, a city shimmering with the genius of so many centuries, we shall see spreading like an ink stain, the odious shadow of this odious column of bolted metal.

In an interview in the newspaper Le Temps of February 14 , Eiffel gave a reply to the artists' protest, neatly summing up his artistic doctrine:. Are we to believe that because one is an engineer, one is not preoccupied by beauty in one's constructions, or that one does not seek to create elegance as well as solidity and durability? Is it not true that the very conditions which give strength also conform to the hidden rules of harmony?

Now to what phenomenon did I have to give primary concern in designing the Tower? It was wind resistance. Well then! I hold that the curvature of the monument's four outer edges, which is as mathematical calculation dictated it should be Likewise the many empty spaces built into the very elements of construction will clearly display the constant concern not to submit any unnecessary surfaces to the violent action of hurricanes, which could threaten the stability of the edifice.

Moreover there is an attraction in the colossal, and a singular delight to which ordinary theories of art are scarcely applicable ". To mark this special anniversary, the people and officials of France wanted to celebrate by making France even more beautiful.

Since its erection, the Eiffel Tower has become one of the most beautiful buildings of not only in France, but also in the world. Leading up to the fair, the organisers held a design competition all over France. Several designers and engineers came up with different ideas and designs on how France could be improved. Amongst the various ideas, a design by Gustave Eiffel made the best impression on a majority of the people. A little-known fact is that Gustave Eiffel also designed the internal body of Liberty Statue.

Going to France? Get my free Survival French travel phrase guide with pronunciation. Eiffel has openly acknowledged that inspiration for the tower came from the Latting Observatory built in New York City in Sauvestre proceeded to add decorative arches to the base of the tower, a glass pavilion to the first level, and other details. The design was then shown at the Exhibition of Decorative Arts in under the company name. Lasting just over two years, construction of the Eiffel tower began on the 26th of January, and was completed on the 31st of March, With a towering height of meters, the tower is made up of seven thousand tons of steel.

Eiffel was to receive all income from the commercial exploitation of the tower during the exhibition and for the next 20 years. Which brings us to the second reason why the Eiffel tower was built. Detailing the technical problems and emphasising the practical uses of the tower. In closing he stated that the tower would symbolise,. Due to the great height of the Eiffel Tower, it was the perfect platform from which to conduct experiments involving temperature, pressure and radio telegraphy.

Thus making it the obvious choice to support. The tower served as the main symbol and as an impressive entrance to the fair. During the first 20 years after its construction, Eiffel received all income from the commercial exploitation of the tower during the exhibition.

After which time several people wanted it to be demolished and used for scrap metal purposes. 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. Also, the city is best explored with local tour guides. Why was the Eiffel Tower built? Two years earlier, one plan had been selected from proposals for an adequate centerpiece for this grand event.

Construction began on February 28, After just over 2 years, on March 31, , Gustave Eiffel himself showed a group of government officials and journalists up the newly-completed tower.

The elevators were not yet in operation, but a few of the group made it all the way to the top using the 1, stairs!

The French tricolor flag was raised and a gun salute was fired. We take away the guesswork with getting tickets and a guide will elevate your experience and make it more memorable! Sometimes the most amazing moments happen by chance. Other times, they are orchestrated by professionals. Our Eiffel tower tour cruises by the famed monument as it lights up and you drink champagne. The Louvre is the largest art museum on Earth and the crowning jewel of Paris. It embodies the French vigor for life.

Join a passionate English speaking guide for a tour of the most famous artwork.