The Eiffel Tower, arguably one of the most iconic landmarks in the world, has a fascinating history behind its creation. Commissioned for the 1889 Exposition Universelle in Paris, the Tower was initially met with immense criticism and was nearly scrapped before it could be completed.
The construction began in 1887, and over 300 workers were employed for the task. Despite the structure's complex design and towering height, the efficiency enabled a staggeringly safe construction process. Believe it or not, only one worker lost his life during the process, and that too, not during the tower’s construction, but during the installation of its elevators.
The iron structure that now stands proudly in the heart of Paris was the brainchild of Gustave Eiffel, a renowned French civil engineer. However, most of the design was the work of one of his employees, an engineer named Maurice Koechlin. It goes to show how deeply rooted is the concept of teamwork and delegation in successful projects.
The Eiffel Tower was originally supposed to be a temporary installation lasting 20 years after which it’d be dismantled, but it was saved by the advent of radio. Eiffel repurposed the tower as a giant radio antenna. So, the reason the Eiffel Tower didn't meet a scrap-metal fate is because of its use to the science of communication.
Today, the Eiffel Tower continues its communication role, housing antennas that enhance radio and television signals in the French capital, apart from delighting tourists and locals alike with its majestic presence.
The mesmerizing construction of the Eiffel Tower
