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MEET THE LA UR CREATOR OF THE EI EL ! The World's Fair: 1889

Gustave Eiffel 1832- 1923 © Hulton-Deutsch Collection/Corbis

In 1889, exactly 100 years after the , Paris held a World's Fair to cele- was born in 1832 in Dijon, brate its accomplishments in science and art. . The name Eiffel was adopted by one The French minister of commerce and indus- of his German ancestors in the early 18th try selected Eiffel's plans for a 300-meter iron century, because the French could not pro- tower to grace the city avenues. However, nounce his actual name of Bönickhausen. many Parisians—including several famous artists—criticized Eiffel's tower before con- After graduating from the Ecole Centrale des struction even began. François Coppée Arts et Manufactures, he established an inde- called it a "skinny pyramid of iron ladders," pendent practice as an engineer and con- while Léon Bloy believed it resembled a "truly tractor. Soon after, he tragic street lamp." rose to the top of his field The construction was as a master of metallic completed after 2 structures. He was also years, 2 months, and an admired mathematical 5 weeks. When the fair Weight of the metal in the structure: 7,300 tons and scientific expert. opened, almost two Total weight of the structure: 10,100 tons Among the 700 propos- million visitors climbed Height of first level: 58 m (190 ft) als in the design competi- the to see Height of second level: 116 m (380 ft) tion for the tower, his was a breathtaking view of Height of third level: 276 m (905 ft) chosen in a unanimous vote. Under his Paris. As one impressed visitor later wrote, Total height (with antenna): 324 m (1,063 ft) watchful eye, the distances between the "Many people have Construction began: January 28, 1887 2,500,000 rivets in the tower were calculat- laughed at the tower Construction ended: March 31, 1889 ed to within one-tenth of a millimeter. How's during the past year, Cost of construction (at the time): $1.5 million that for a perfectionist!? but, I think, none who have seen it." Cost if we built the Eiffel Tower today: $163.5 million! Number of steps to get to the top: 1,665

WHY IS THE AS A VISITOR DID YOU KNOW? TOWER STILL If you're planning a visit to the Eiffel Tower, Gustave Eiffel, the man who created STANDING? be sure not to miss anything! the Eiffel Tower in 1889, also built the On the first floor, you will find the Paris-Tour Eiffel post metallic structure of the Statue of office. Here you can buy special postage stamps and Liberty in 1886. The Statue was a gift souvenirs from France. On this floor, you can also from France to America. Believe it or not, the Eiffel Tower was supposed watch movies about the history of the Tower in to be demolished in1909, since it was CinEiffel, on one of its eight television screens. With the The Eiffel Tower is repainted every 7 years. Each paint job initially built just forthe World's Fair of electronic telescope, you can survey every detail of the requires 52 tons of paint! 1889. But after ten years, Parisians entire city of Paris! It took 300 steel workers 2 years and 2 months to build began to better appreciate the On the second floor, dine at Le restaurant the Eiffel Tower. Tower—and they soon found that it (but be sure to make your reservations several months was not only strik- ing, but useful in advance for this popular dining location!) Or, check The height of the Eiffel Tower can vary up to 15 centime- too. Why? The tower’s great out animated window scenes that talk about the history ters (6 inches) depending on the weather! of the Tower's construction and explain its mechanics. height gave it tech- nological impor- From this floor, a special takes visitors straight People have done strange things on the Eiffel Tower: tance, especially during World War to the top of the Tower! I. It could be used for wireless mili- *In 1923, Pierre Labric rode a bicycle down the stairways On the top floor, be sure to take plenty of pictures of from the first level of the Tower! tary communica- tions and it could the city of Paris. You can also examine the many view- *In 1954, a mountaineer scaled the Tower! even intercept messages from point indicators informing you of the direction and dis- *In 1983, two Englishmen parachuted off of the Tower! enemies! As time went on, it was tance to other cities all over the world. used as a meteor- ological station, The top three nationalities that visit the Eiffel Tower The Eiffel Tower has appeared a military tele- graph, and an each year are: in many films, including An aerodynamics laboratory. The 1. French American in Paris (1951), The Tower served as an antenna 2. Spanish Lavender Hill Mob (1951), The 3. American Aristocats (1970), Superman II for the new radio stations (1980), National Lampoon's that were becoming France Foreign European Vacation (1985), Star popular in the early 1900s. Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country 45% Today, it transmits 39% (1991), and French Kiss (1995). 40% 35% both radio and tele- 35% 31% 28% The Eiffel Tower was the tallest vision sig- nals. 30% 25% 21% 22% structure in the world until the 20% was erected 41 15% 10% 11% years later in New York City. The 10% 5% 2% 1% Chrysler Building itself was soon 0% surpassed by the Empire State Younger than 25-34 34-49 50-64 65 and older Building, which was completed in 25 1931 and is 1,454 feet tall. On this graph, you can see what age groups are most likely to be found visiting the Eiffel Tower! 216,476,171 tourists have visited the Eiffel Tower from Where do you fit in? the time of its completion in 1889 to December 31, 2004 (date of the most recent figures). Bonjour! My name is Jean-Luc. Let’s have fun discovering the LA UR Eiffel Tower! EI EL

Level Three: - 276 meters / 905 feet high - A fantastic 360-degree view of Paris, complete with explanatory displays - Gustave Eiffel's office (including a wax figure recreation of Mr. Eiffel wel- coming !) - Dioramas retracing the platorm’s history An elevator like this one will take you from the second level ALL the way to the top of the Eiffel Tower!

Level One: - 58 meters / 190 feet high - Observatory - Souvenir shops Level Two: - Restaurant "Altitude 95" - 116 meters / 380 feet high - "CinEiffel" film center - Telescopes so you can see - Post office all of Paris - Panoramic gallery - Learn how the eleva- tors work - Jules Verne Restaurant - More Souvenir Shops!

The Altitude 95 restaurant

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4 Can you solve the crossword? 5 (all the answers can be found in this brochure!)

DOWN 8 1. You can buy these in the Eiffel Tower’s post office. 2.The first name of the person who designed and built the Eiffel Tower. 3. The country where the Eiffel Tower is located. 7 4. Where you can watch movies about the history of the tower.

5. The number of steel workers it took to build the Eiffel Tower. 6 6. The tower’s height varies depending on the ______. 7. The ______Building surpassed the Eiffel Tower as the world’s tallest structure in 1930. 9 ACROSS 8. The man who rode a bike down the first level stairwayof the Eiffel Tower. 9. The restaurant on the tower’s second floor. 10. The tower is repainted every_____ years.

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Press &Information Office, Embassy of France October 2005