Paris's Eiffel Tower opened to the public in 1889 as the centerpiece of the Exposition Universelle, or World's Fair.
The tower was built to commemorate the centenary of the French Revolution and to demonstrate France's industrial and engineering capabilities. Gustave Eiffel's company designed and constructed the iron lattice structure, which stood as the entrance feature for the fair on the Champ de Mars.
The Eiffel Tower opened on 31 March 1889, when its flag was raised after construction was completed, and visitors began entering it during the World's Fair in May. Its original temporary role was later reconsidered because the tower proved useful for communications and attracted large crowds.
The structure was the world's tallest man-made structure until New York's Chrysler Building surpassed it in 1929. Although it is not an office skyscraper in the conventional sense, its height, multi-level observation platforms and landmark status make it a foundational example in the history of famous towers.