Art, literature & culture

Construction of Eiffel Tower

31 March 1889

The Eiffel Tower was completed at the end of March 1889 for the Exposition Universelle, the world's fair held in Paris to mark the centenary of the French Revolution. It was built by the company of the engineer Gustave Eiffel, to a design by his engineers Maurice Koechlin and Emile Nouguier, and the architect Stephen Sauvestre contributed to its appearance. Construction of the wrought-iron lattice structure took just over two years. At about 300 metres, it was the tallest structure in the world, a title it held until the Chrysler Building in New York overtook it in 1930. Many Parisian artists and writers disliked it, and it was meant to stand for only twenty years, but its value as a radio mast saved it. It is now the symbol of Paris.

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This moment belongs to the Industrial era (1760 CE to 1914 CE), steam, factories and revolutions. You can also browse everything in the 19th century.