Eiffel Tower (1889) Initially derided as a “monstrous iron skeleton,” the Eiffel Tower was built as the centerpiece of the 1889 Paris Exposition to celebrate the centennial of the French Revolution. Designed by Gustave Eiffel’s firm, it stood 300 meters tall—the world’s tallest structure until 1930. Composed of 18,038 iron parts held by 2.5 million rivets, it showcased industrial-age engineering and daring aesthetics. Critics like Maupassant called it hideous, yet it soon became a symbol of modernity and French ingenuity. Originally intended to stand for 20 years, its usefulness as a radio tower saved it from demolition. Today, it attracts nearly 7 million visitors annually. Painted every seven years to prevent rust, it has evolved from temporary exhibit to national icon. The Eiffel Tower proves that functionality and poetry can coexist: a lattice of iron that captures the sky, romance, and the spirit of innovation.
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