LN247 || SPACE.COM || EIFFEL TOWER EXPLAINED

• When The Tower Opened In The 19th Century, It Was The World's Tallest Building At 1,024 Feet.


• The Eiffel Tower Has 1,665 Stairs And Three Viewing Platforms.


• Nearly 50 Miles Of Electric Cables Cover The Structure.


• There Are 120 Antennas Atop The Eiffel Tower.


• The Tower Is Made Of 18,000 Iron Pieces Bolted Together By Over 2.5 Million Rivets.


• 20,000 Light Bulbs Illuminate The Landmark Every Night.


FACTS
Hitler Ordered Eiffel Tower To Be Destroyed
When Germany occupied France during the second World War, Hitler ordered that the Eiffel Tower be torn down, but the order was never followed through. French resistance fighters got their revenge, though—they cut the Tower’s elevator cables so the Nazis were forced to climb the stairs to hoist their flag.


The Eiffel Tower Is Cousin Of Sorts To Statue Of Liberty
Before the Eiffel Tower was built, Eiffel's firm was asked to design the internal frame for the Statue of Liberty, a task assigned to his trusted employee, Maurice Koechlin. They proved their iron handiwork with Lady Liberty first.


There’s A Post Office In Eiffel Tower
Tucked into the first floor of the Tower next to the gift shops, there is a tiny post office. Pick up une carte postale and a stamp and have it mailed from the Eiffel Tower’s post office and it will be delivered with the unique postmark.


The Eiffel Tower Doubled As Scientific Laboratory
Mr. Eiffel housed a meteorology lab on the Tower’s third floor where he performed studies in physics, aerodynamics, and built a wind tunnel. Eiffel opened the doors of the laboratory to other scientists to use for the experiments, too, and cosmic rays were discovered there.


The Eiffel Tower Moves
The massive iron structure is wind resistant and will sway during a storm. If the weather is bad enough, it can even move. Wind isn’t the only thing that can make the enormous Tower move, though—the heat of the sun also affects the Tower, causing the iron to expand and contract up to 7 inches.


The Eiffel Tower Is Covered In Names Of Scientists
French scientists and engineers working in the 19th century were not forgotten by history—not only did they lend their names to Parisian streets, but 72 of their names are also engraved on the Eiffel Tower. The engraved tributes were covered up, but thanks to a restoration effort, they are once again visible and eagle-eyed visitors can see names like Foucault, Dumas, and Perrier cut into the iron.


There’s A Military Bunker Underneath Eiffel Tower
Underneath the Tower’s south pillar sits a snug bit of history—a secret military bunker that may connect to the nearby Ecole Militaire via a long tunnel. The bunker has now been turned into a small museum and tour groups can explore the diminutive space.




Kate And William Played Rugby In Front Of Paris' Eiffel Tower
Britain's Prince William and his wife Kate play rugby with children in front of the Eiffel Tower during an official visit to Paris, months before the 20th anniversary of the death of William's mother Diana in a car crash in the French capital.
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