Construction begins on the Eiffel Tower (1887)

Construction of the Eiffel Tower began in late January 1887 on the Champ de Mars in Paris. Following a contract signed in January, foundation work started on 28 January. The project, designed by Gustave Eiffel's company, aimed to serve as the centerpiece for the 1889 Exposition Universelle, marking a significant engineering undertaking in France.

Episodes

Background and detail

Background. The Eiffel Tower was conceived as a centerpiece for the 1889 Exposition Universelle, celebrating the centennial of the French Revolution. After a budget was passed and competition terms altered in May 1886, Eiffel's design was selected. A contract was signed on 8 January 1887, following debates about the exact location, setting the stage for construction on the Champ de Mars.

Construction Start. Work on the foundations officially began on 28 January 1887. This marked the transition from planning to physical execution of the project on the Champ de Mars in Paris.

Design and Planning. The design originated from Maurice Koechlin and Emile Nouguier, who proposed a centrepiece for the 1889 Exposition. Gustave Eiffel presented his plans to the Société des Ingénieurs Civils in March 1885, emphasizing the tower's symbolic value for modern engineering and French gratitude for the Revolution. The selection process concluded in May 1886, favoring Eiffel's scheme.

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Sources

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