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Event of 1889: The Eiffel Tower is inaugurated in Paris. At 300 m (980 ft), its height exceeds

When
1887–1889
Where
Paris
Episodes
4

The 1889 Exposition Universelle in Paris featured the Eiffel Tower as its entrance, marking a significant engineering achievement. The tower, designed by Gustave Eiffel, surpassed previous height records and faced contemporary aesthetic criticism. The fair ran from May to October, showcasing global cultural and technological advancements.

Episodes

  1. 1887-02-14 · ParisArtists Against the Eiffel Tower

    A petition criticizing the tower's aesthetics was published in February 1887.

  2. 1889-03-31 · ParisInauguration of the Eiffel Tower

    Gustave Eiffel led officials to the top of the tower on March 31, 1889, marking its completion.

  3. 1889-05-06 to 1889-10-31 · ParisOpening of the Exposition Universelle

    The 1889 Paris Exposition opened on May 6, featuring the Eiffel Tower as its entrance.

  4. 1889-08-14 to 1889-09-10 · ParisThomas Edison's Visit

    Thomas Edison visited the exposition in August 1889 to demonstrate his improved phonograph.

Background and detail

Background. The Eiffel Tower was constructed as the centerpiece for the 1889 World's Fair, celebrating the centennial of the French Revolution. Named after engineer Gustave Eiffel, whose company built it from 1887 to 1889, the tower was initially viewed as a temporary structure. It was intended to crown the fair, serving as an entrance arch.

Construction. Work on the foundations began in January 1887, following a contract signed earlier that month. The critical stage of joining the legs was completed by March 1888. Main structural work concluded in March 1889, with Eiffel leading officials to the top on March 31. The tower's height exceeded previous records, surpassing the Washington Monument.

Controversy. Contemporary critics found the tower aesthetically displeasing. A petition titled "Artists against the Eiffel Tower" was sent to Adolphe Alphand in February 1887. Despite this, the tower became a landmark. Guy de Maupassant reportedly ate in its restaurant to avoid seeing the tower, highlighting the mixed public reception.

People involved

Sources

  1. Eiffel Tower Wikipedia, revision of 2026-09-25
  2. Exposition Universelle (1889) Wikipedia

Machine-drafted from the cited Wikipedia passages and checked by a reviewing model, not by a human editor. Every passage cites the revision it was written from; dates and places follow those passages.