The Eiffel Tower stands as the most recognizable symbol of France and a masterpiece of iron engineering. Gustave Eiffel constructed the monument for the 1889 World's Fair, though many artists initially hated the design. Furthermore, it survived wars and demolition threats to become the most visited paid monument in the world. Consequently, the Iron Lady continues to watch over Paris today. Explore these fascinating details about this global icon.
Eiffel Tower
The iron structure actually changes height with the seasons. Due to thermal expansion, the Eiffel Tower grows by up to 6 inches (15 centimeters) in the summer heat.
A con man named Victor Lustig famously sold the tower for scrap metal in 1925. Amazingly, he convinced a scrap dealer that the city could no longer afford to maintain it.
Gustave Eiffel included a secret apartment for himself at the very top. Specifically, he used this private space to host famous guests like Thomas Edison.
The French resistance cut the elevator cables during World War II. Therefore, Adolf Hitler had to take the stairs if he wanted to reach the summit, which he refused to do.
Painters must apply 60 tons of paint to the structure every seven years. Furthermore, they apply the paint entirely by hand to prevent rust from eating away the iron.
Originally, the city planned to tear down the Eiffel Tower after only 20 years. However, Gustave Eiffel saved it by proving its value as a giant radio antenna.
The famous writer Guy de Maupassant ate lunch at the tower’s restaurant every day. Reportedly, he did this because it was the only place in Paris where he could not see the structure.
Taking photos of the tower at night for commercial use is technically illegal. The lighting display holds a separate copyright, so professional photographers need permission.
The car manufacturer Citroën used the tower as a giant billboard from 1925 to 1934. Consequently, they used 250,000 light bulbs to spell out the brand name on the side.
Gustave Eiffel engraved the names of 72 French scientists and engineers onto the tower. Thus, he ensured that future generations would remember the minds that made the industrial age possible.
Workers paint the tower in three slightly different shades of “Eiffel Tower Brown.” To enhance the perspective, they use the darkest shade at the bottom and the lightest at the top.
A woman named Erika LaBrie actually married the monument in 2007. Bizarrely, she changed her name to Erika Eiffel and founded a group for people who love objects.
The structure sways slightly during strong wind storms. Despite its massive weight, the top can move up to 3 inches (7 centimeters) without causing any structural damage.
It served as a laboratory for scientific experiments in meteorology and aerodynamics. For instance, Gustave Eiffel dropped objects from the top to study air resistance.
Finally, the tower sometimes hosts an ice skating rink on the first floor during winter. Visitors can skate 187 feet (57 meters) above the ground while enjoying views of Paris.
