The Eiffel Tower at dawn (Photo : Reuters)
Paris is known for two things, romance and of course the iconic Eiffel Tower. But did anyone know that the magnificent 1,063 ft. high was once revered as a street lamp and a permanent eye sore when it was built in 1887?
According to CS Monitor, the world's most famous tower was once described as "a truly tragic street lamp" by the famous Leon Boy during its early construction in 1887. Eiffel Tower's initial purpose is to serve as the entrance to the 1889 World Fair, but was criticized by artists, masons and citizens of Paris as a betrayal of the Paris' identity.
Amid the protest and criticism, the construction went on in line with the World Fair's theme which was "Universal Exposition of the Products of Industry." Another purpose of the then hated structure was to highlight the industrial progress the country had made in the previous 100 years. It was finally opened to the public on March 31, 1889. 1909, World Fair's lease on the land expired that almost resulted to its destruction but thanks to its value as an antenna for radio transmission, the demolition didn't transpired.
The Eiffel Tower has celebrated its 126th anniversary which was designed by Gustave Eiffel the same person who designed the framework for the Statue of Liberty in New York. Eiffel Tower's estimated visitors a year is set at 7 million and an estimated 250 million people visited the iconic tower since its opening to the public, VOX reported.
VOX also said that Architect Stephen Sauvestre's participation in the construction of the Eiffel Tower has earned him the "the magician of iron." Before the Chrysler Building in New York was the tallest structure in the world, Eiffel held it for nearly 40 years and to commemorate its 126 years, Illustrator Floriane Marchix made a Google Doodle which features various artists
Illustrator Floriane Marchix created a Google Doodle to commemorate the structure's anniversary. The doodle features multiple artists dangerously dangling and hanging from the Tower's bars and beams, painting and working on the face of the iconic tower.
