One of the most recognizable structures on earth is the Eiffel tower. There are around five hundred employees that work daily to keep the operations functioning correctly. Some work in restaurants, some ensure the security, by monitoring the elevators and some work to direct eager crowds to the various platforms.
In 1889,Paris hosted the world's fair market to host the celebration for the hundred years anniversary of the French revolution. Over a hundred artists submitted competing plans for the monument to be built on the Champ-de- Mars, which is located in Central Paris and present as the exposition's entrance. The contract was given to Eiffel et Compagnie, a construction and consulting firm, owned by the bridge builder.
Often enough Eiffel himself receives credit for the monument, but it was actually one of his employees called Mauring Koechlin, who came up with the concept. The final design consisted of more than 18 000 pieces of puddle iron, and 2.5 million rivets. Hundreds of workers spent two years assembling the framework of the iconic lattice tower, which at its inauguration in March 1889 stood nearly 1,000 feet high and was the tallest structure in the world.
In the beginning only the second floor platform was open to public, but later two other platforms became accessible and now feature restaurants. Millions of visitors during and after the World fair marveled at Paris' newly erected architectural wonder but not all of the city's inhabitants were so enthusiastic. Many Parisians considered it an eyesore.
It was originally intended as a temporary exhibit, and the tower was almost torn down and scrapped in 1909 but it was saved when city officials opted to save it as a radiotelegraph station during World war I. It escaped destruction a second time when Hitler initially ordered the demolition of the city's most cherished symbol but luckily the command was never carried out.
Over the years, the Eiffel Tower has been the site of numerous high-profile stunts, ceremonial events and even scientific experiments. The Eiffel tower has inspired more than thirty replicas and similar structures in various cities around the world.
The tower underwent a major face-lift in 1986 and is currently repainted every seven years. The Eiffel tower attracts more visitors than any other paid monument in the world, and approximately seven million visitors visit it every year.
1. How many people work in the Eiffel tower?
2. Who designed the Eiffel tower?
3. Why was it nearly destroyed in Word War I?
4. In which year did the tower undergone a major face-lift?
5. How many artists submitted plans to build the monument?
References:
