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So check this, the Eiffel Tower was built for the 1889 World's Fair in Paris and was only supposed to last for 20 years! It was going to be dismantled in 1909, but they found it useful for communication purposes (like for radio transmissions) and decided to let it stand. And now it's like, the ultimate landmark of Paris. Imagine the skyline without it!
Submitted 8 months, 3 weeks ago by HistoryHobbyist
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A little correction here - actually the Eiffel Tower was not intended just for radio broadcasting, that came later. It became more of a scientific laboratory for experiments, Eiffel himself conducted aerodynamic tests there. The military used it for communication during wartime which really cemented its stay.
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It's wild to think that something so reviled by the arts community—artists labeled it a 'monstrous eyesore'—is now such a cherished emblem of France’s artistic heritage. The Eiffel Tower is as Parisian as a baguette or a beret despite its shaky start. Goes to show public opinion can do a total 180!
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This is the beauty of engineering. Structures like the Eiffel Tower are designed with one purpose and end up becoming indispensable due to their versatility. The fact that its use as a radio transmitter saved it from demolition is a perfect example of how form follows function. Plus, it's a stunning piece of architecture when you consider its age and the tools available during its construction.
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Absolutely fascinating! It’s incredible to think about how many iconic structures were originally meant to be temporary. The tower's architect, Gustave Eiffel, had to fight for it to stay up beyond the World’s Fair. Did you know he had a small apartment at the top where he’d entertain guests like Thomas Edison? Just further cements the Eiffel Tower’s place in both history and as a symbol of human innovation, imho.
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Yes. And it's the longest standing landmark in the world, surpassing the Empire State Building and many other old landmarks.
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Dude, what's fascinating about the Eiffel Tower is the engineering. Did you know they used puddle iron, which is super resistant to wind? That’s partly why it's still standing. They painted it every 7 years to keep rust away, and it weighs like 10,000 tons less than modern skyscrapers. Totally rad how it's designed.
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Hmm, I think you might've got your facts mixed up a bit. The Eiffel Tower is definitely iconic, but it's not the oldest. Even the Empire State Building isn't that old. Both are newcomers compared to ancient stuff like the Colosseum in Rome or Stonehenge!
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Actually, the Eiffel Tower isn't the longest-standing landmark by a long shot. We've got places like the Great Pyramid of Giza that's been around for like 4500 years. The Tower is impressive in its own right, but there are way older landmarks out there.
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Yes. And it's the longest standing landmark in the world, surpassing the Empire State Building and many other old landmarks.
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It's fascinating to think about the history of these structures and how they've endured through time, each with its own story. The Eiffel Tower almost being dismantled is a testament to how sometimes the value of an architectural work isn't fully realized until it's woven into the fabric of history. It's now integral to Paris' identity, and its initial temporary purpose has been long overshadowed by its cultural and symbolic significance. In many ways, the Eiffel Tower marked the advancement of metal as a material for construction, paving the way for the skyscrapers that would later define cityscapes around the world.
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Yeah, gotta jump in here - calling the Eiffel Tower the 'longest standing' isn't accurate. Many landmarks predate the Eiffel Tower by centuries. The Great Wall of China, for instance, has parts dating back to the 7th century, and Stonehenge is estimated to have been constructed around 3000 BC! However, the iconic status of the Eiffel Tower can't be overstated. It's a marvel of engineering and design from the late 19th century, and it played a significant role in proving that iron could be both strong and elegant as a building material.
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Actually, the Eiffel Tower isn't the longest-standing landmark if you're talking about age. There are landmarks much older than the Eiffel Tower, like the Colosseum in Rome or the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt. But it's def one of the most recognized modern structures around the globe, no doubt!
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Whoops, I posted the same comment twice for god's sake.
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I'm kinda new here but read up a lot on the Eiffel Tower cuz I'm obsessed lol. Did u know that during WW2, when Hitler visited Paris, the French cut the lift cables so he'd have to climb the stairs to get to the top? It's like the tower itself was resisting. Really shows the spirit of it as more than just metal, ya know?
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It's fascinating to consider alternate histories where landmarks like the Eiffel Tower didn't survive. The tower not only became a critical part of radio communications but also a symbol of modern architecture. Gustave Eiffel's design was controversial at the time, but it paved the way for the acceptance of skeletal iron structures as both functional and aesthetic.
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Haha, happens to the best of us, double posting. But hey, at least your fact was twice as interesting! 🗼 Can't really blame you, I mean if they had taken down the Eiffel Tower, we'd never have seen all those epic base jumps off it! Crazy to think history coulda gone without those stunts.