Had its use as a gigantic 300m high radio antenna not been recognised in the early 1900s the magnificent Eiffel Tower, would have been pulled down and destroyed. Under its original contract as the wrought iron gateway to the 1889 Paris World Fair, it was only to stand for 20 years. But its creator, engineer Gustave Eiffel, had other ideas. In the same way that Eiffel initially convinced politicians to support this dazzling demonstration of France’s industrial power, he persuaded them to keep it as a scientific laboratory, leading to new knowledge of wind engineering and meteorology.

But the story of the tower, which inspired both love and hatred in the late 1800s, is one of extremes, just like the life of its creator. From being the most revered engineer in the world, when the tower opened and even bore his name, Eiffel found himself mired in accusations of corruption and was sentenced to jail.

As “La Dam de Fer”, celebrates its 130 year anniversary we explore the highs and lows of one of the world’s most famous structures.

GUESTS

Paul Bell, Institution of Structural Engineers History Study Group

Bertrand Lemoine, architect, engineer and historian, and author of The Eiffel Tower: The Three Hundred Metre Tower

Ender Ozkan, Vice President Europe, RWDI

Professor Andrew Saint,Institution of Structural Engineers History Study Group