Thinking Behind Eiffel Tower Analysis

The Thinking Behind The Eiffel Tower’s Design
At approximately three hundred meters tall, the Eiffel tower stands as an iconic symbol of the City of Paris and the French nation, but also as one of the most famous monuments across the planet. At the time of its construction, Gustave’s Eiffel tower was the tallest tower on the planet and despite the fact that it has been overshadowed in terms of height by the various imitations that it inspired along the years, the Eiffel tower’s design is nonetheless unlike no other. Even though it seems like a perfect fit, at one time, critics wondered why a monstrous iron edifice had to be erected in the middle of Paris. However, such a thought was factored into the very aspects of the tower’s design; with …show more content…
With Charles Garnier – a top architect – as their leader, some of the prominent personalities in art at the time published a manifesto in protest. In the manifesto, Garnier and his colleagues vehemently expressed their disapproval of the project as they felt that it would be a disgrace to the culture of the city and the arts in general. In response to the critics, Eiffel made a comparison between the tower and the pyramids of Egypt. In his comparison, he made the argument that huge moments have always been objects of great fascination ever since and that the tower’s monstrous height merely added to its beauty and magnificence. He went further to clarify the fact that it was not practical for the people to admire the pyramids in Egypt due to their magnificence yet hate the tower in France for its massive size. In his letter, Eiffel states that the very form of the structure creates the impression of strength and beauty; and that despite the mechanical appearance, every feature of the tower adds to its own aesthetic …show more content…
In using iron as a material, Eiffel considered the fact that it had more resistance than wood or stone, especially when it comes to large structures. Furthermore, the materials lightness would ensure that the construction would not require a bigger foundation or support. All these factors played a crucial part in the choice of using metal for constructing the tower. Eiffel’s choice of iron for the tower did not only ensure that the 300 meter tall tower would stand, but it has also resulted in the long term durability of the tower more than 100 years after it was constructed. The iron used by Eiffel is known as puddle iron. Known for its resilience, the iron is able to withstand fatigue and corrosion, and readily accept protective coating. The use of that specific material coupled with the ingenuity of the design and construction may yet ensure that the Eiffel Tower outlasts many generations to