Ashleigh Weaver Don McDowell French 112 Section 005 Spring 2014 The Building of the Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower is one of the most symbolic landmarks of the world. Tourists from all around the world come to Paris, France to visit this tremendous tower of iron. There are many floors within the Eiffel Tower that tourists can access for various different things, like shops, restaurants, places to look out below, and more. The building of this tower was a long and tedious process, enduring many mishaps and possible destruction attempts, yet is still standing to this day. The Eiffel Tower was built not very long ago in our history. Plans were made to build the Eiffel Tower by 1889 for the World Fair by the architect Gustave Eiffel. Gustave also helped with the framework for the Statue of Liberty, giving him some credentials. However, Gustave received a lot of criticism for this project but he trudged on with his plans. It opened up to the public in May of 1889 after two years of building. Despite criticism, it was very successful on opening day. In over a year, the Eiffel Tower attracted close to two million people. The money received from admission tickets was enough to pay off the creditors who funded this project (Eiffel Tower History). The structure of this architectural masterpiece seems simplistic yet is complex in its composition. 18,038 pieces of iron were fitted together along with 2.5 million rivets. More than 100 workmen helped piece this monument together and none of them died as a result (Eiffel Tower History).

After twenty years, the lease for the land expired and Eiffel lost control over the tower. As time passed, the City of Paris considered turning the Eiffel Tower into scrap metal, however this changed when World War I started. They found a purpose for it and made it into a military radio and telegraph facility (Eiffel Tower History). They intercepted many enemy radio communications and the tower was used to dispatch emergency military reinforcements. It was almost destroyed yet again in World War 2 when Hitler ordered its deconstruction, but the command was never carried out (Eiffel Tower). In the 1980s, the Eiffel Tower became worn down due to managerial problems. It was put in the hands of a new company to take care of it and renovate it into more suitable conditions. The renovation process cost over 38 million dollars and lasted over a span of three years. Old parts, such as the staircase, were auctioned off and replaced with elevators (Eiffel Tower History). Today, this monument is the most visited in the world with an estimated seven million people a year (Eiffel Tower). The symbol of Paris and an international icon, the Eiffel Tower is one of the most depicted and cherished monuments in the world. Many people dream of getting the chance to visit the Eiffel Tower out of awe and appreciation. It has come a long way from what it once was in 1889. Throughout the years it has seen its fair share of the culture and history, of not only France, but the world.

Works Cited "Eiffel Tower." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 15 Apr. 2014. <http://www.history.com/topics/eiffel-tower>.

"Eiffel Tower History." A guide to Eiffel Tower in Paris. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Apr. 2014. <http://www.eiffeltowerguide.com/Eiffel-Tower-History.html>.