Eiffel Tower Construction and 19th Century Architecture

Jugadrs Letters: Eiffel Tower Details

a) Location: Paris

b) Author: Gustave Eiffel

c) Establishment: Architectural Iron

d) Chronology: 1889

e) Material: Iron

f) Dimensions: 300m + 24m antenna

19th Century Context

The nineteenth century was a time of profound political, economic, and cultural change. It emphasizes the Industrial Revolution and the French Revolution. Napoleon stretched the French presence throughout Europe. The victorious European monarchies, absolute monarchies restoration, is called the Restoration period.

Cultural Streams

In this stage, three streams are highlighted:

• The neoclassical
• Realism
• Romanticism

Iron Architecture

Iron Architecture is the generic name for a style of architecture of the nineteenth century, originated in the availability of new materials that occurred during the Industrial Revolution.

Pioneering Structures

The first building constructed entirely with glass and iron was the Crystal Palace (1850–1851, rebuilt between 1852 and 1854) in London. It was a great ship ready to host the first World Exposition of 1851. It was designed by Joseph Paxton, who had learned the use of these materials in the construction of greenhouses. This building was the precursor of prefab architecture, and with it demonstrated the possibility of fine buildings in iron.

Key Architect

b) Architect: Gustav Eiffel (1832–1923), French engineer specializing in world metal structures. He was known for his innovative buildings.

Description of the Tower

Characteristics

It consists of 18,000 pieces of iron. It stands on four large pillars and four huge arches on which they rest. The four pillars, which would be located at the corners of a rectangle, curve inward to end up as a single element. The tower has three platforms or floors:

• The first at 57 meters from the land.
• The second at 115 meters.
• The third and last, at 254 meters, which is a viewing glass with a capacity of 800 people.

It is believed that approximately half of the unions regarding the structure were made for safety reasons; that is, the tower would stand even if half of the ties between their parts failed. This ensured the reliability of the Tower from the outset, since at the time of its construction many Parisians were afraid it could fall, causing a catastrophe.

Function and Legacy

a) Function: Built with a double motive: it wanted to be the great symbol of a new way of building, and simultaneously, the memorial of the centenary of the victory of the French Revolution. The Eiffel Tower is the world's most visited place.