The Eiffel Tower dominates the Parisian skyline and stands as one of France’s greatest symbols. Initially conceived as a temporary structure for the 1889 World’s Fair, it was designed by engineer Gustave Eiffel in a groundbreaking way that pushed the technological boundaries of the time.
The origins of the Eiffel Tower are tied to the centennial of the French Revolution and an effort to show the world that Paris was at the forefront of innovation. Standing 300 meters tall, it held the title of the tallest structure in the world for a period.
Over the years, the Eiffel Tower has witnessed some of the most significant events in history, including both World Wars. Today, it is a must-visit destination for tourists, and understanding its history will help you appreciate its significance when you travel to Paris.
NOTE: If you’re planning a trip to the City of Light, you might be interested in these activities:
- Priority Access to the Tower with a Discount and No Queues
- Romantic Dinner at the Tower’s Restaurant
- Private Photo Session at the Eiffel Tower
History of the Eiffel Tower’s Construction
The Eiffel Tower was completed in 1889, and understanding its construction is straightforward: it is made of iron, standing an impressive 300 meters tall, equivalent to a building over 120 stories high.
In fact, the motivation for its construction was to create a standout attraction for the Paris World’s Fair in hopes of drawing more visitors to the capital.
The building process took around two years, involving over 250 workers. Despite the massive scale, it was finished ahead of schedule, which was excellent news for the influential figures of the time, as the construction was under tight deadlines to be ready for the fair.
However, despite meticulous efforts to make the Eiffel Tower the most spectacular monument of the era, it received mixed reviews from prominent Parisian artists. Many described it as “ugly” and “monstrous,” a sentiment echoed widely.
Given these circumstances and the generally negative reception from the art community, the Paris World’s Fair was considered a disappointment. In fact, there was serious debate about dismantling the tower to preserve the image of Paris. Ultimately, the decision was made to keep it, despite the initial opposition.
When did it become a recognized landmark?
It wasn’t until the 20th century that the Eiffel Tower truly proved valuable, not only for Parisians but also for all of France.
An interesting note is that during the early 20th century, the tower’s role shifted significantly, being used for various purposes, including as a radio transmission point, which further solidified its importance to the city and country.
Given the circumstances of the world wars, the tower served as a broadcasting antenna, which helped maintain better communication with the Allies and prevent massive enemy attacks. It also seems to have been instrumental in preserving control over the French capital.
Once the two world wars ended, Paris began to emerge as one of the world’s most important tourist attractions, and of course, much of this appeal is linked to the iconic Eiffel Tower.
The most important monument in Paris teaches us that what may seem unattractive today can become a treasure over time. Sometimes, it’s better not to tear down structures, as, for example, who can imagine Paris without tickets to the Eiffel Tower now?
Its Builder: Alexandre Gustave Eiffel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2PrSjGC7oc
The Eiffel Tower was the most important project of the French engineer Alexandre Gustave Eiffel.
Eiffel’s Works
He is more commonly known as Gustave Eiffel. He was born in Dijon in 1832 and died in Paris in 1923 at the age of 91. Throughout most of his life, he worked as a civil engineer, focusing on designing public works, where he demonstrated remarkable creativity.
Gustave Eiffel was educated at the École Centrale des Arts et Manufactures in Paris (École Centrale), one of France’s most prestigious engineering schools. He graduated in 1855 and soon found work at a company specializing in railway equipment design.
While working there, Eiffel was responsible for designing a bridge for the Saint Germain railway, marking his first major project. During his time with this company, he also worked on other large-scale projects, such as the railway bridge over the Garonne River, which was part of the Bordeaux railway network, and the connection of the Paris-Bordeaux line with that from Sète to Bayonne.
The aforementioned Garonne River bridge opened to the public in 1860 but was retired in 2008. This was partly due to the bridge’s two tracks no longer being sufficient for the daily traffic, especially with the anticipated arrival of high-speed rail.
After working for others for some time and saving a considerable amount of money, Gustave Eiffel ventured to create his own company, named Eiffel et Cie, in 1867. Eiffel’s company gained renown for its innovative use of ironwork. They designed metal structures using the method of forces, a relatively new technique at the time.
From the inception of Eiffel et Cie and into the early 20th century, Eiffel completed numerous monumental projects that made him famous. To accomplish these works, he collaborated with talented engineers and designers. His company completed projects both in France and abroad. Let’s list some of his most notable achievements.
Today, the Eiffel Tower is visited by countless tourists and is a perfect spot for a romantic evening to enjoy a coffee at night or to visit with children at any hour. There are guided tours during the day and night of this 300-meter-high monument, a jewel of French architecture weighing over 10,000 tons, with 60 tons of paint alone.
Another one of Eiffel’s remarkable creations is the Statue of Liberty in New York City, although this wasn’t designed for the Universal Exposition. It was a gift from France to the United States in celebration of the centennial of American independence.
A summary of his works includes:
Eiffel’s Works in France
- Garabit Viaduct in Ruynes-en-Margeride
- Rock of the Virgin Bridge in Biarritz
- Briare Canal Bridge
- Vecchio River Bridge in Venaco (Corsica)
- Eiffel Tower in Paris
- Le Bon Marché Department Store in Paris
- Dome of the Nice Observatory
- Paradis Latin Cabaret in Paris
Eiffel’s Works Around the World
- Maria Pia Bridge over the Douro River in Porto (Portugal)
- Perfume River Bridge in Huế (Vietnam)
- San Pablo Bridge in Cuenca (Spain). Photo shown below.
- Hacho Bridge in Granada Province (Spain)
- Western Station of Budapest (Hungary)
- Iron House of Iquitos (Peru)
- Bus Station of La Paz (Bolivia)
- San Sebastian Church in Manila (Philippines)
- Central Post Office in Saigon (Vietnam)
- Statue of Liberty in New York City (USA)
- Chiclayo Cathedral (Peru)
- San Marcos Cathedral in Arica (Chile). Photo shown above.
- House of Culture or former customs building in Arica (Chile)
- Tacna Cathedral (Peru)
- Eiffel Tower of Sucre (Bolivia)
- Central Station of Santiago (Chile)
- Libertador Suspension Bridge of Táchira (Venezuela)
- Crystal Palace in Guayaquil (Ecuador)
- Palace of Iron in Orizaba (Mexico)
Eiffel and Aerodynamics
At the beginning of the 20th century, Gustave Eiffel developed a strong interest in studying aerodynamics. His research began in 1903 with experiments conducted on the Eiffel Tower itself. He installed a machine on the tower’s second floor. The experiment involved dropping an object, not in free fall, but guided along a cable anchored to the ground outside. As the object descended, it created an airflow current.
The objective was to measure the force opposing the object’s motion. He spent several years conducting these experiments at the same location.
Who built the Eiffel Tower? This question has been asked repeatedly throughout history, but this remarkable engineer accomplished much more than just constructing the iconic tower. Later, in 1909, he built a wind tunnel in the Champ de Mars, a park near the Eiffel Tower.
A wind or aerodynamic tunnel is used to analyze how wind affects objects under experimental conditions. By 1912, Eiffel had installed a larger and more advanced wind tunnel in Auteuil, where he began testing aircraft designs.
Aerodynamic testing of airplanes is crucial, as it helps calculate fundamental parameters such as the engine power required. This aerodynamic tunnel developed by Eiffel continued to be used for many years, with several modifications.
It goes without saying that Eiffel made significant contributions to the field of aerodynamics. One notable contribution was the polar diagram, a graphical representation used to analyze and interpret the aerodynamic properties of an airfoil. He also wrote a book on the subject: “Nouvelles recherches sur la résistance de l’air et l’aviation.”
We hope this journey through the life of the Eiffel Tower’s builder (Who built the Eiffel Tower) has been engaging. There’s no doubt that he was a genius. Below, you can watch a video showcasing some highlights of his works, such as the dome of the Nice Observatory, the Statue of Liberty, and, of course, the Eiffel Tower.
We hope this article has answered your question about who built the Eiffel Tower and provided a deeper look into the life and achievements of this extraordinary engineer.