Current Date: 27 Jul, 2026
{{entry.title}}

Why was the Eiffel Tower almost demolished

The Eiffel Tower was intended to be a temporary structure for the World's Fair in 1889, but it was nearly dismantled and sold for scrap metal. It was saved because of its potential use as a radio antenna, and it now serves as a tourist attraction as well as a working broadcast tower.

The history of the Eiffel tower is a piece of national heritage. It has long served as the representation of France and Paris. But when Gustave Eiffel finished building it in 1889, the tower wasn’t even close to being the Parisians’ favorite landmark; it was only meant to be a temporary feature in the city’s landscape.

History of the Eiffel Tower: the beginning

Why was the Eiffel Tower almost demolished 1
Photo Credit: theintrepidguide

For 127 years, the most visited tourist destination in Paris has reached the city’s skies. It wasn’t meant to last, even though it is currently a symbol of France. Without a doubt, the 1889 Universal Exposition marked a turning point in the history of the Eiffel Tower.

Gustave Eiffel’s design was chosen from among the 107 submissions in a competition held to mark the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution with the goal of “building on the Champ-de-Mars an iron tower with a square base, 125 meters wide and 300 meters high.” Stephen Sauvestre, an architect, and engineers Maurice Koechlin and Emile Nouguier stood by his side.

The Iron Lady dealing with doubters

Why was the Eiffel Tower almost demolished 2
Photo Credit: theintrepidguide

The history of the Eiffel Tower was not a simple one. Many people at the time opposed the structure and expressed their opposition in a letter titled “Artists Against Mr. Eiffel’s Tower,” claiming that the tower posed a threat to Paris’ aesthetic appeal. An iron tower built right in the middle of Paris was viewed as unacceptable because it stood in stark contrast to the sophistication and refined beauty of the city. Verlaine, for instance, gave the Eiffel Tower the moniker “Skeleton of Beffroi” to highlight how awkward the enormous tower looked and how it would inevitably “disfigure” the city.

The construction of the Eiffel Tower (1887-1889)

Why was the Eiffel Tower almost demolished 3
Photo Credit: theintrepidguide

Despite the commotion, the frail iron tower would survive the day. It’s critical to understand the construction process of the Eiffel Tower in order to comprehend its history. The actual building process took two years.

  • The project started in June 1884, and the initial drawings were completed.
  • The construction starts on January 28th, 1887.
  • On April 1st, 1888, the initial phase was finished.
  • Finished on August 14th, 1888, was the second phase.
  • On March 31st, 1889, the tower’s third and final stage of construction came to an end.
  • Inauguration day for the Eiffel Tower was March 31, 1889. Gustave Eiffel climbed the Tower’s 1,710 stairs to place the tricolor French flag atop it. The Tower was 312 meters high at the time.

The tale of how a temporary structure became a symbol of France

Why was the Eiffel Tower almost demolished 4
Photo Credit: theintrepidguide

The construction of the tower’s licensing rights under the convention had already been predetermined to expire after 20 years, at which point it would be completely destroyed. However, during the Universal Exposition, Tower received two million visitors. After such remarkable success, the structure came to represent the might of French industry. Tower experienced the same level of success at the 1900 Universal Exposition. Gustave Eiffel went to great lengths to demonstrate the Tower’s scientific value in an effort to stop its destruction. However, the Tower’s use as a radio antenna tower, first for military communications and then for ongoing radiotelegraphy communications, would ultimately prove to be its saving grace. In fact, the Tower served a variety of purposes during the First World War.

The Eiffel Tower’s success story

Why was the Eiffel Tower almost demolished 5
Photo Credit: theintrepidguide

About 7 million people climb the Tower each year. Due to its widespread success, numerous nations have built replicas of the Tower that are almost exact replicas of the original. Is it possible to envision Paris without the Eiffel Tower. Don’t miss the Eiffel Tower light displays while you are visiting Paris; they have been entertaining visitors and locals alike since the end of the XIXth century.

Similar Stories
Top 10 most cruel medical procedures that are being used today

Top 10 most cruel medical procedures that are being used today

We are all aware that medicine has advanced dramatically over the last fifty years. There are several modern medical approaches available today, but this was not always the case. However, the past of medicine is a dark one. Medical leeches, lobotomy, vascular surgery, cranial stenosis, and even electroshock therapy are all options. These are only a couple of the cruel healing techniques that are still in use today.

Poto And Cabengo: The Secret Language Of Twins

Poto And Cabengo: The Secret Language Of Twins

Poto and Cabengo, as the two girls called each other, communicated in their own language. The twins were ignored by their parents and secluded from the outside world because their father felt they were developmentally retarded, and their unique language evolved as a result of that neglect.

The Forgotten Story of Semipalatinsk and the Soviet Nuclear Experiments

The Forgotten Story of Semipalatinsk and the Soviet Nuclear Experiments

Between 1949 and 1989, the Semipalatinsk Test Site in Kazakhstan became the primary location for Soviet nuclear weapons tests, exposing millions of unsuspecting villagers to radioactive fallout. Known as the “Polygon of Suffering,” this remote desert witnessed 456 nuclear detonations that caused widespread health crises, birth defects, and generational genetic damage. This article narrates the chilling legacy of Semipalatinsk, unveiling the human cost of Cold War arms development and the ongoing struggle for healing and recognition in Kazakhstan.

The History Behind the “No One Dies Alone” Program

The History Behind the “No One Dies Alone” Program

In 1986, while doing a night shift at the hospital, Sandra Clarke, a registered nurse, was asked by an elderly patient to stay. She promised to be back after checking on her other patients, but by the time she returned, the gentleman had passed away. Clarke became one of the key figures in launching No One Dies Alone, a program that allows volunteers to sit with terminal patients who have no one else.

Will & William Wests: The puzzling situation of two inmates who are identical but not related

Will & William Wests: The puzzling situation of two inmates who are identical but not related

These are the mugshots of Will West and William West, and they are not related. They were both sent to Leavenworth Prison at the same time, in 1903, and after some confusion, the staff understood they had two different prisoners with the nearly same name, who looked exactly alike. They are part of the reason fingerprints are now used as identification.

Did Gil Pérez Really Teleport from Manila to Mexico Overnight? The 1593 Mystery

Did Gil Pérez Really Teleport from Manila to Mexico Overnight? The 1593 Mystery

On October 24, 1593, while performing his guard duties at Manila's Governor's Palace in the Philippines, Gil Perez stopped to lean against a wall and sleep for a while. He opened his eyes to find himself in an unusual environment. Gil was in the Plaza Mayor in Mexico City. They imprisoned Perez, but the authorities in Mexico City decided to release him and return him home.

Keith Sapsford: The Story of 14-Year-Old Stowaway

Keith Sapsford: The Story of 14-Year-Old Stowaway

The final image of 14-year-old Australian Keith Sapsford, who aspired to travel the world. In February 1970, he sneaked into the wheel-well of a plane flying from Sydney to Tokyo. It opened mid-air & fell out. When a photographer was testing a new lens, he captured this moment on film and was surprised when it developed.

What Was the Beast of Gévaudan?

What Was the Beast of Gévaudan?

Between 1764 and 1767, a mysterious animal called the Beast of Gévaudan terrorized the French village called Gévaudan. It attacked and killed about 100 adults and children. While most believe it was a wolf, some say it may have been a wolf-dog hybrid, hyena or even a lion, but without any genetic evidence, the beast will remain a mystery forever.