Eiffel Tower
I've always dreamed of traveling to Paris one day and the 985' high rugged tracery of iron work is one of the reasons!
Have you guys ever been curious about the history of the Eiffel Tower or you just admire it because it's simply a symbol of Paris worldwide? If you'll ask me, I love the Eiffel Tower because of its incredible structure and the hard work put into it to be able to make it appear as beautiful as what we see. I'm also amazed on how sturdy it is over the years.
The Eiffel Tower (1887-1889) was designed by Alexandre Gustav Eiffel. It's actually an Exposition Observation Tower and a Victorian Structural Expressionist. It's a cast-iron construction, meaning, it is a form of architecture where cast iron plays a central role. It was a prominent style in the Industrial Revolution era when cast iron was relatively cheap and modern steel had not yet been developed.
It's also a commission from competition victory and it was also made during the Industrial Revolution.
CONSTRUCTION:
(information & construction photos from webodysseum.com)
Work on the foundations started in January 1887. The tower is comprised of 18, 038 pieces of wrought iron and 2 and half million rivets. No drilling or shaping was done on site. If any part did not fit it was sent back to the factory for alteration.
The critical stage of joining the four legs at the first level was complete by March 1888. Although the metalwork had been prepared with the utmost precision, provision had been made to carry out small adjustments in order to precisely align the legs: hydraulic jacks were fitted to the shoes at the base of each leg, each capable of exerting a force of 800 tonnes, and in addition the legs had been intentionally constructed at a slightly steeper angle than necessary, being supported by sandboxes on the scaffold.
No more than three hundred workers were employed on site, and because Eiffel took safety precautions, including the use of movable stagings, guard-rails and screens, only one man died during construction.
The main structural work was completed at the end of March 1889.
Eiffel had a permit for the tower to stand for 20 years. It was to be dismantled in 1909. The City had planned to tear it down (part of the original contest rules for designing a tower was that it could be easily demolished) but as the tower proved valuable for communication purposes, it was allowed to remain after the expiry of the permit.
In the opening weeks of the First World War the powerful radio transmitters using the tower were used to jam German communications, seriously hindering their advance on Paris and contributing to the Allied victory at the First Battle of the Marne.
And just to let you know, the Eiffel Tower is a symbol of hope and dreams for me. I don't know why but every time I see it, whether in pictures or in movies, it makes me want to reach my dreams even more.
And I'll never stop dreaming that one day, I'll be able to go to Paris for my Interior Design and ballet careers and I'll be able to take my picture under the Eiffel Tower with my pointes on! =)
23 comments
Wow! I didn't know the entire story of the Eiffel Tower. Interesting post :)
ReplyDeleteThank you! =))
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ReplyDeleteXO
C
I went to Paris last winter and I loved this city! Beautiful pics!
ReplyDeleteOh good to know, I feel smart already :D
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Deletecool paris:D
ReplyDeleteI've never seen the first photos of the tower before
ReplyDeleteSuch a lovely post: I like these pictures about the Eiffel tower so much!!
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I love this post!
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Thank you so much! :)))
DeleteGorgeous photos, I want to visit Paris!
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DeleteI really didn't know about its story but now I know! Wow! Thanks for sharing! :)
ReplyDeleteI was given the opportunity to visit there. Too bad I was so poor back then,no money to ride the trip to the top with 10 Euros. :(
~Chai
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Deleteawww. I know Paris is expensive but it's worth it. I'm so jealous that you were able to go to Paris! At least you did unlike me. hehe
great!
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So beautiful! I love paris.
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I love this post! These pictures are so amazing!
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Hello Rae,
ReplyDeleteBy the way, that is my daughter's middle name. Yes, the Eifell tower is an amazing site. My daughters went to Paris a few years ago, and took their picture right below the tower. It is so beautiful lit up at night. The information that you told about is interesting. I hope you visit us again, and have a sweet day.
~Sheri at Red Rose Alley