Torre Eiffel

History of the Eiffel Tower

The history of the Eiffel Tower begins in 1887. Paris had been invaded by the Prussians in 1870 during the conflict between France and Prussia (North German Confederation). After the Prussians left, the French economy was in ruins and many citizens faced hardship. To revitalize the economy and create jobs, France began exploring ambitious projects.

Why Organize a World Fair?

The 1889 World Fair, officially called the Exposition Universelle, was organized following the success of earlier industrial expositions in Paris. It attracted visitors from around the world, and the Eiffel Tower was built as the centerpiece of this grand event.

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Purpose of the Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower was inaugurated in 1889 for the World’s Fair. Beyond being an architectural marvel, it symbolized France’s resilience after the 1870 invasion and showcased French engineering to the world. A competition was launched to select the design to represent the nation at this prestigious event.

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Construction of the Eiffel Tower

Out of 107 submitted designs, the winning project was by the Gustave Eiffel Company, featuring:

• Gustave Eiffel – contractor
• Maurice Koechlin and Émile Nouguier – engineers
• Stephen Sauvestre – architect

The project was approved and construction began in 1887, completing in just over two years, perfectly in time for the 1889 Exposition Universelle.

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