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History of the Eiffel Tower

By Rarebb
  • Tower designed by Koechlin and Nouguier

    Tower designed by Koechlin and Nouguier
    Maurice Koechlin and Emile Nouguier submit the tower design to Alexandre Gustave Eiffel. The tower would be a centerpiece for the l'Exposition Universelle de 1889 which would celebrate the centennial of the French Revolution.
  • Design Patented

    Design Patented
    Eiffel purchased the rights to the design's patent
  • Commission formed

    Commission formed
    A commission was formed to study the projects submitted and a budget was given. During this time, artists protested the proposed tower.
  • Contract signed

    Contract signed
    The commission signed a contract with Eiffel, granting him 1.5 million francs for the construction and commercial exploitation of the tower for 20 years.
  • Construction begins

    Construction begins
    Construction began on the foundation of the tower.
  • Metalic Structure Completed

    Metalic Structure Completed
    Work on the metalic structure is completed.
  • Period: to

    L'Exposition Universelle

    L'exposition universelle opens in Paris, giving visitors a chance to see and, later, climb the tower.
  • Visiters climb the tower en masse

    Visiters climb the tower en masse
    The public is allowed to climb the tower stairs. Almost 30,000 people visit the first week.
  • Elevators open for public use

    Elevators open for public use
    Two elevators open for public use, making it easier for the public to climb the tower. The elevators would need to be replaced in ten years.
  • First Military Use

    First Military Use
    During the World War I, a radio transmitter is placed in tower, helping the Allied Victory
  • German Occupation of Paris

    German Occupation of Paris
    During the German occupation of Paris, the Germans hoist a flag on the tower, claiming it as their own.
  • Paris is liberated

    Paris is liberated
    When Paris is liberated, two men replace the German flag with the Tricoulour (the French flag).