More than a monument, a symbol. It is therefore normal that the artists make him see it in all its colors. Destroyed during disaster scenarios, place of spectacular waterfalls or theater of the most beautiful romances, the Eiffel Tower is a character in itself. A real star.
And to think that it was to disappear only twenty years after it opened. Erected for the 1889 Universal Exhibition, the Eiffel Tower was intended to demonstrate French know-how in terms of construction.
And this one radiated durably. From the height of 357 meters, it was the tallest structure in the world until 1930 and the construction of the Chrysler Building in New York. Planned to be ephemeral, it owes its salvation to Gustave Eiffel.
The engineer who gave it his name worked hard to make it indispensable by relying on science. The building allowed a remarkable advance in telecommunications since it was from its summit that the first hertzian telephone link was made in 1898 to the Pantheon, 4 km away.
In 1903, Gustave Eiffel himself financed a wireless telegraphy network whose antenna was installed at the top. It is a success. The usefulness of the tower is demonstrated. During the First World War, its antennas picked up important secret messages from the enemy. Then in 1921, radio relays were installed there and TVs followed in 1925.
The monument became the pride of the city. During the Second World War, the French even sabotaged the elevators so that the Germans could not enjoy the view. They had to climb the stairs: 1665 steps in total!
With more than 7 million visitors a year, it is one of the most visited monuments in the world.