Interesting Engineering

When the Eiffel Tower opened in 1889, it faced intense backlash from artists and intellectuals, who described it as an “eyesore” and a “monstrous” metal structure unfit for Paris. More than 300 prominent figures signed a protest demanding it be stopped, but construction continued as it was built for the World’s Fair.
Originally intended to be temporary, the tower was scheduled to be dismantled after 20 years. However, its usefulness for radio transmission and scientific experiments ultimately saved it from demolition.
Now, exactly 137 years after its opening, the Eiffel Tower stands as one of the most recognized landmarks in the world, visited by millions each year and widely seen as a symbol of both Paris and modern engineering.