The Eiffel Tower, La Tour Eiffel in French, was constructed as the temporary exhibit of the Paris Exposition, 1889 so as to demonstrate France's industrial power to world.
Cost: 7,799,401.31 French gold francs in 1889 . Height: 324 meters tall
Fame: The tallest man made structure until the Chrysler Building, built in New York in 1930
Cost: 7,799,401.31 French gold francs in 1889 . Height: 324 meters tall
Fame: The tallest man made structure until the Chrysler Building, built in New York in 1930
I photographed the Eiffel as:
A human's dream with forecast plan: Gustave Eiffel(Architect)
A perfect construction which resembles Lego model: 18,038 pieces of iron , 2.5 million rivets by more than 100 workmen. Not one lost his life during the construction which adds a real success to the construction history.
A grown man who challenged the society: A group headed by prominent nineteenth-century writers lodged a formal complaint against the proposed plan of Eiffel, calling the design a disgraceful skeleton . . . "a gigantic factory chimney whose form will disfigure the architectural harmony of the city." Despite the criticisms and the many labor strikes during the construction, the tower was built in a little over two years.
A unadorned iron lattice structure which end up in perfect business affair: Eiffel was able to reimburse his creditors within one year, just through the admission ticket receipts from the 1,868,000 visitors.
A radio tower which served France during world war: After 20 years of its construction,the land was too valuable for such a frivolous structure, according to city council, and plans were made to turn the tower into scrap metal. Fortunately for the Eiffel Tower, it was transformed into a military radio and telegraph center during emerged world war. Its lease was renewed for another 70 years.
A project which stood as a victim of mismanagement: By 1980, tower gained an extra 1,300 tons over the year from concrete additions and radio and television antennas. The elevators were worn out, and the entire structure was considered dangerous.
A movie with a sequel which became hit than its predecessor: A new company was designated by the city to look after the tower, and renovations costing $38-million took place between 1980 and 1983. The extra weight was sawed off, and the structure itself was spruced up with a coat of fresh paint weighing five tons.
Now the structure remains the pride of French. Most of the national events, makeover the resting beauty with lights and music with millions of people gathering around its 4 big foot. This gigantic beast become millions of people's dream partner for their couple selfie. It become photographers challenge to capture the whole iron structure inside their frame, without losing a tiny rivet. Eiffel encounter always few visitors believing it as a one among the seven wonders of world and many with a sarcastic smile on their face as an outcome of the exaggerated beauty , they dream about.
I was lucky to spend many months of my life to live around this silent beast which always reminds me about the courage to desire, stand along with your dreams with no concerns about judgments, transform yourself according to needs, an organized life structure, a colored person which attracts more whites (a perfect symbol against racism) and lot more to get inspired for a human being.
But I am still wondering , which of these realistic facts made it as symbol of love?
I came across many fascinating stories in many attractive touristic websites, including humans hanged from this steel beast for their love and a vow made under this giant's structure will not be broken. And once again Eiffel proves that human's mind & eyes can be attracted more by myth and fear than by the realistic facts.
Thanks to that great visionary who managed to interpret a skeleton of iron bars to a sexy fortune teller !
-Tony