02/04/2026
Today marks the 137th anniversary of the Eiffel Tower. On this day in 1889, Gustave Eiffel climbed all 1,710 steps to the top and raised the French flag at its summit.
The tower was completed in just 2 years, 2 months, and 5 days, using 18,038 iron components and around 2.5 million rivets.
Standing at 300 meters, it became the tallest structure ever built at the time and held that record for 41 years, until the Chrysler Building surpassed it in 1930.
Originally, the tower wasn’t meant to last. It was granted a 20-year permit and was supposed to be dismantled and sold for scrap afterward.
What ultimately saved it was its usefulness for radio. Eiffel persuaded authorities that it could serve as a powerful antenna for military and weather communication.
During World War I, signals from the tower even played a role in halting the German advance toward Paris.
Before gaining acceptance, however, it faced strong criticism. Many prominent figures in French culture signed a petition calling it an eyesore.
Writer Guy de Maupassant disliked it so much that he often dined inside the tower—ironically, the only place where he didn’t have to see it.
About 2 million people visited the tower during the 1889 World’s Fair. Today, that number has grown to over 300 million visitors.
What was once expected to be temporary became one of the most recognizable landmarks in the world.
