The most famous tourist attraction in France (and one of the best known in the world), the Eiffel Tower is 135 years old and is still considered a symbol of
modernity and avant-garde in Paris. Whether through
photos, in films, gifts or even in person , almost everyone has had some contact (direct or indirect) with this important monument, but few know the history and importance of this tower in marking the
freedom and technological advances of post-French Revolution France.
Below, we have separated
5 interesting facts about the Eiffel Tower that you have probably never heard of. Check it out!
It was supposed to be a temporary exhibition
It was not the intention of the government or the engineers for the Eiffel Tower to gain the prominence it has today. On the contrary: it was created to be part of the
1889 Universal Exhibition , at the Champ de Mars in Paris – a celebration of the
first centenary of the French Revolution , a movement that transformed French politics and society at the time. The idea was that the
tower would be dismantled 20 years after its inauguration , but Gustave Eiffel, the engineer in charge of the project, made changes to the structure of the monument to
make it more durable and functional for the Parisian community, such as the inclusion of a meteorological observatory and the installation of an antenna for radio transmissions.
Largest tower in the world
Although it has lost its title today, the Eiffel Tower, at the time of its construction, was the
tallest tower in the world, standing 330 meters above the ground . Its total width is 125 meters. It was built entirely with cast iron and a hollow structure with more than
18 thousand metal parts .
Size change
Another interesting fact about the Eiffel Tower is that it changes size throughout the year. This happens because
iron , when subjected to different temperatures, can expand or contract . Every year, the tower varies by
15 cm – in the summer it grows and in the winter it shrinks.
Means of communication in the First World War
During the First World War (1914), the
Eiffel Tower's radio antennas served as a means of communication between French soldiers. With this, local troops were able to intercept enemy signals coming from Germany, which contributed, in a way, to the victory in the conflict.
Extra curiosity: In World War II, Hitler ordered the destruction of Paris and, in particular, the Eiffel Tower to shake the French troops.
Secret apartment
The top of the Eiffel Tower is home to a secret apartment that Gustave Eiffel created to
house his closest friends . He never agreed to rent the space out, not even for a single night, and one of his most famous friends who stayed there was
Thomas Edison , the inventor of the incandescent light bulb.
