How it Came to be One of the World's Most Famous Monuments
The Eiffel Tower was primarily constructed as the centerpiece for the 1889 Exposition Universelle (World's Fair) in Paris, marking the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution (Harriss 2004). However, several factors led to its creation.
The need for the Eiffel Tower stemmed from many factors.
Historical Context
In the late 19th century, France was experiencing rapid technological advancement and a surge of national pride. The country sought to showcase its industrial and engineering prowess to the world (Harriss 2004; Jonnes 2009).
Design Competition
A competition was held to design a monument for the 1889 World's Fair entrance. Over 100 proposals were submitted, but the design by Gustave Eiffel, along with engineers Maurice Koechlin and Emile Nouguier, was ultimately selected (Jonnes 2009; Loyrette 1985).
Architectural Innovation
The Eiffel Tower represented a departure from traditional architectural styles:
It demonstrated the potential of wrought iron as a building material, showing it could be as strong as stone while being much lighter (Harvie 2006).
The open-lattice design was revolutionary, utilizing 18,000 precisely engineered iron pieces joined by 2.5 million rivets (Jonnes 2009; Lemoine 1989).
Technological Showcase
The tower was intended to demonstrate France's advanced engineering capabilities:
At 300 meters (984 feet) tall, it was designed to be the world's tallest structure at the time (Tissandier 1889; Barthes 1979).
It incorporated innovative construction techniques, including hydraulic jacks and steam-powered cranes (Lemoine 1989; Freyssinet 1954).
Symbolic Significance
Beyond its practical purpose, the Eiffel Tower symbolized:
France's industrial might and technological advancement
The spirit of progress and modernity
National pride and the achievements of the French Republic (Harriss 2004; Barthes 1979; Jonnes 2009)
Scientific Purposes
While, not its primary purpose, the tower was also envisioned to serve various scientific functions:
As a platform for meteorological observations
For aerodynamic experiments
As a potential site for a radio transmitter (which later became one of its key functions) (Jonnes 2009; Jonnes 2009)
The Eiffel Tower emerged from a combination of national celebration, technological ambition, and the desire to create a lasting monument that would capture global imagination and showcase France's capabilities on the world stage (Harriss 2004; Jonnes 2009; Jonnes 2009).
Stakeholders
The construction of the Eiffel Tower involved several key stakeholders:
Gustave Eiffel
Role: Chief Engineer and Project Leader
Contribution: Oversaw the project, managed construction, and provided financial backing (Weingardt 2001)
Maurice Koechlin and Emile Nouguier
Role: Engineers
Contribution: Developed the initial design concept and structural calculations (Weingardt 2001)
Stephen Sauvestre
Role: Architect
Contribution: Enhanced the aesthetic design of the tower (Weingardt 2001)
French Government
Role: Project Sponsor
Contribution: Commissioned the tower for the 1889 Exposition Universelle (Harvie 2006)
City of Paris
Role: Local Authority
Contribution: Provided land and eventual ownership of the tower (Harvie 2006)
Construction Workers
Role: On-site labor
Contribution: Assembled the tower's components (Weingardt 2001)
Levallois-Perret Factory Workers
Role: Off-site fabricators
Contribution: Manufactured the tower's iron components (Weingardt 2001)
Exposition Universelle Organizers
Role: Event Planners
Contribution: Incorporated the tower as a centerpiece for the World's Fair (Harvie 2006)
Public and Critics
Role: Observers and commentators
Contribution: Provided both support and opposition to the project (Loyrette 1985)
This list of stakeholders reflects the complex network of individuals and organizations involved in the planning, design, and construction of the Eiffel Tower.
Timeline of the Eiffel Tower Development
Significance
The Eiffel Tower symbolizes French innovation and cultural heritage, representing technological prowess during the Second Industrial Revolution and serving as a global icon of France and Paris. It has become one of the world's most visited monuments, attracting approximately 7 million visitors annually, while also playing significant roles in communication and scientific experimentation throughout its history.
This website was created to provide an overview of the situation, processes, and individuals that led to the creation of the Eiffel Tower. It breaks down the design and construction process into five sections: planning, economics, scheduling, execution, and leadership. All of this information is taken into consideration, and an analysis was documented on the analysis page.