What 1889 structure was designed by Gustave Eiffel for the Paris Exposition?

The Eiffel Tower was designed by Gustave Eiffel’s engineering company for the 1889 Exposition Universelle in Paris.

The tower was built to commemorate the centenary of the French Revolution and to demonstrate France’s industrial and engineering achievements. Construction began in 1887 and finished in 1889. Its wrought-iron lattice was assembled from thousands of metal pieces joined by millions of rivets.

The structure was controversial at first. Some artists and writers objected to its appearance, but it became a popular attraction during the exposition. At 300 meters tall when completed, it was the world’s tallest man-made structure until New York’s Chrysler Building surpassed it in 1930.

The tower was intended to be temporary, but its usefulness for radio transmission helped preserve it. Today it is one of the world’s most recognizable landmarks and a defining symbol of Paris. Thermal expansion makes its height vary slightly with temperature.