Ava Monroe
The Eiffel Tower is an iconic symbol of Paris, attracting millions of visitors every year. It is an architectural and engineering marvel, standing at an altitude of over 300 meters. While it is commonly associated with the use of nails in its construction, the structure actually comprises 2.5 million rivets, which are similar to nails but known as French nails. This impressive structure was built in just twenty-two months, from 1887 to 1889, and has since become one of the world's most popular tourist attractions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of nails/rivets | 2,500,000 |
| Number of steps | 1,665 |
| Height | 300 meters |
| Weight | 7,300 tons |
| Time taken to build | 22 months |
| Number of visitors per year | 7 million |
| Total number of visitors | 300 million |
| Repainting frequency | Every 7 years |
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What You'll Learn
The Eiffel Tower was built in 1889
The Eiffel Tower was built using 2,500,000 rivets, similar to what we call "French nails". Despite the hard work and dangerous conditions, there were no deaths among the 117 riveters recruited from the carpenters. An Italian worker, however, did tragically pass away in a fatal accident after work hours, and Eiffel discreetly compensated his widow.
The tower was intended to last only 20 years but was saved due to the scientific experiments that Eiffel encouraged. It served as a radio transmission tower, a military radio post, and later transmitted the first public radio programme. The Eiffel Tower has also played a role in television broadcasting. Regular renovations and restorations have maintained the structure over the decades, ensuring it remains a popular attraction.
The Eiffel Tower has become an iconic symbol of Paris, attracting millions of visitors each year. It is a spot for romantic proposals and is renowned for its architectural and engineering marvel. The tower is particularly striking when lit up at night, showcasing different views. The structure produces its own electricity through wind turbines and will receive a special golden paint job for the 2024 Olympic Games.
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It was designed by Gustave Eiffel
The Eiffel Tower is named after its designer, Gustave Eiffel, an engineer and entrepreneur. Eiffel founded and developed a company specialising in metal structural work, and the tower is considered the company's crowning achievement. Eiffel himself described the tower as a "vision, an object, a symbol... a structure that is useless and yet irreplaceable".
Eiffel's design was selected from among 107 projects submitted to a competition launched in the Journal Officiel in 1886. The brief was to "study the possibility of erecting an iron tower on the Champ-de-Mars with a square base, 125 metres across and 300 metres tall". Eiffel's proposal was for a tower designed like a large pylon with four columns of lattice work girders, separated at the base and coming together at the top. The tower was to be joined by metal girders at regular intervals, with a bold curve to the four edges that would produce a "strong impression of strength and beauty".
Eiffel's design was initially criticised by some of France's leading artists and intellectuals, including Charles Garnier, who thought it was a "truly tragic street lamp", and Alexandre Dumas, who described it as an "odius shadow of the odious column built of rivets and iron plates". Despite this, the tower was completed in 1889, in time for the World's Fair and the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution.
In addition to the Eiffel Tower, Gustave Eiffel also worked on several other notable structures, including the dome on the Nice Observatory, the metallic structure of the Statue of Liberty, and the Bordeaux railway bridge.
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Construction took 2 years, 2 months and 5 days
The Eiffel Tower was built in just over two years, to be ready for the 1889 World Exhibition in Paris. The project was first studied in detail by Gustave Eiffel and his colleagues in 1884, and construction began in January 1887. Despite the tight timeframe, Eiffel and his team worked diligently to complete the tower in time for its grand unveiling at the exhibition.
The Eiffel Tower is a remarkable feat of engineering and construction. Standing at a height of 300 meters (approximately 1,000 feet), it was an ambitious project that required significant planning and effort. The tower is relatively light, weighing in at 7,300 tons, but it needed a solid foundation to support its structure. Excavations were carried out at the site of the four piers, resulting in a compact gravel deposit that provided sufficient resistance.
The construction process was not without its challenges and risks. Workers, including 117 riveters and "chimney sweeps" recruited from among the carpenters, braved the cold and wind while working on small platforms without any protection or insurance. Despite these hazardous conditions, there were no deaths reported among the workers during the construction. However, a tragic accident occurred when an Italian worker fell after work hours, resulting in a fatal outcome. Eiffel discreetly compensated the worker's widow for her loss.
As the completion deadline loomed, the elevators presented a particularly complex challenge. Installing them was almost more difficult than constructing the tower itself. In fact, the elevators were delivered a few weeks after the opening of the exhibition. Nevertheless, the Eiffel Tower was completed on March 30, 1889, just in time for its grand opening to the public on May 15, 1889.
The Eiffel Tower has since become an iconic symbol of Paris and one of the most popular tourist attractions in the world, welcoming around 7 million visitors annually. It is a testament to the dedication and skill of those who brought it to life in just two years, two months, and five days.
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The tower has 1,665 steps
The Eiffel Tower is one of the world's most popular tourist attractions, with close to 300 million visitors since its opening in 1889. The tower, standing at an altitude of over 300 meters, offers breathtaking views and is a symbol of Paris. One of the highlights of visiting the tower is climbing its 1,665 steps, which lead all the way to the top.
The Eiffel Tower was constructed in just twenty-two months, an impressive feat of engineering and architecture. While the tower has elevators, Gustave Eiffel, the tower's architect, always recommended climbing the steps as the best way to experience the tower. On the day of the inauguration, Eiffel himself climbed these steps to hoist the French Tricolor, reportedly climbing 1,710 steps, farther than visitors are usually allowed to go.
The steps of the Eiffel Tower offer a unique perspective of the tower's structure and design. As visitors climb the steps, they can appreciate the intricate details and the remarkable engineering that went into constructing the tower. The climb also provides a sense of the tower's immense height, giving a different perspective of the surrounding cityscape as they ascend.
Climbing the steps of the Eiffel Tower can be a challenging yet rewarding experience. It offers a sense of accomplishment and provides an opportunity to follow in the footsteps of the tower's architect, Gustave Eiffel, who envisioned the climb as an integral part of the experience. The steps also provide access to areas that may not be accessible by elevator, allowing visitors to explore the tower in its entirety.
The 1,665 steps of the Eiffel Tower are a testament to the tower's design and a reminder of the importance of this iconic structure. Climbing these steps connects visitors to the tower's history and allows them to experience the Eiffel Tower in the way Gustave Eiffel intended—a journey that offers both a physical challenge and a unique perspective of one of the world's most beloved landmarks.
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It is set to be painted gold for the 2024 Olympic Games
The Eiffel Tower is an iconic symbol of Paris, attracting millions of visitors every year. Built in 1889, the tower has been repainted numerous times over the years, with various colours such as orange, green, and yellow hues, as well as red, brown, and grey. In 1968, the French settled on a specific colour called Eiffel Tower Brown.
In preparation for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, the Eiffel Tower is set for a unique transformation. The tower will be painted gold, shimmering and shining during the day and night. This one-off paint job is estimated to cost $60 million and will be completed by 25 painters working for 18 months. The golden makeover is expected to enhance the tower's appearance, especially during the triathlon and open water swimming events, providing a stunning backdrop for the competitions.
The choice of gold paint holds a special significance. It is intended to evoke a sense of prestige and luxury, reflecting the importance of the Olympic Games. Furthermore, gold symbolizes achievement and victory, making it a fitting choice for an event that celebrates athletic excellence.
Additionally, the paint job is not just cosmetic but also serves a functional purpose. The process involves stripping off old paint and rust, which may contain lead, making it a dangerous task for the crews. This step ensures the tower is properly prepared for its new layer of gold paint, creating a smooth and uniform surface.
The Eiffel Tower's golden makeover is a temporary alteration, as the tower is typically repainted every seven years. However, the golden hue chosen for the 2024 Olympics is believed to be closer to Gustave Eiffel's original vision for the tower's colour, making it a special return to its intended appearance.
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Frequently asked questions
The Eiffel Tower was constructed using 2,500,000 rivets. While not technically nails, rivets are similar enough that they are sometimes referred to as "French nails".
Rivets are small metal pins that are used to join two pieces of metal together. They are inserted into a hole drilled through both pieces of metal and then hammered flat on either side to hold them in place.
Yes, the Eiffel Tower was built in just 22 months, with no deaths among the 117 riveters and "chimney sweeps" recruited from the carpenters. The elevators were almost more complicated to install than the tower itself and were delivered a few weeks after the tower opened to the public.
There are 1,665 steps in the Eiffel Tower that lead up to the very top. On the day of the inauguration in 1889, Gustave Eiffel climbed all the way to the top, hoisting the French Tricolor.
