Lego Architecture - The Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower is the most iconic structure in Paris, France. Named after the engineer, Gustave Eiffel, whose company designed and built the tower. 

In 1889 was the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution and Paris hosted a World's Fair to mark the occasion. Three years before, there was a competition to get a centrepiece for the exhibition. Gustave's plan for 985-foot tower won.   

The tower was a success with the public. By the end of the 1889 World's Fair, there had been nearly two million visitors. However, Eiffel only had a permit for twenty years; it was due to be dismantled in 1909, as the ownership reverted back to the city. The city was going to take it down, but Eiffel argued that the structure was valuable to communication and scientific purposes. '...not only the art of the modern engineer, but also the century of industry and science in which we are living' - Gustave Eiffel. After the short campaign, it was allowed to remain. 

Gustave Eiffel 

1832-1923

Eiffel installed a meteorology lab on the third floor and later constructed a wind tunnel at the foot of the tower. He carried out thousands of tests there and saw many others uses the tower to study meteorology, astronomy and physics.

The tower was home to the original wireless telegraphy which secured it's future. The top of the tower has been modified to a growing number of antennas. Now its now home to over 120 antennas plus a television mast making the tower 1,063 feet taller. 

Today the Eiffel Tower remains one of the most recognizable structures in the world, seeing estimated seven million people through the doors each year. 

The building of the Eiffel Tower