# Eiffel (DD-156)

> The Eiffel Tower is a wrought-iron lattice tower on the Champ de Mars in Paris, built by Gustave Eiffel's company as the entrance arch to the 1889 World's Fair. During construction, a group of artists and intellectuals published a protest against it. It was the world's tallest structure until the Chrysler Building in New York was completed in 1930. It stood 324 m (1,063 ft) with its antennas; new antennas brought it to about 330 m in 2022. It has become a global symbol of Paris and France. The footage shows the tower and a portrait of Gustave Eiffel, with the presenter.

- Department: Locations (also History)
- First published: 2024-01-02
- Last updated: 2024-01-02
- Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/eiffel/
- Original Reel title: Eiffel 🇫🇷
- Author: Marcus Easterling (DetailEnjoyer), The Detail Department

## On the timeline

- **1889**: The tower is built as the entrance arch to the World's Fair
- **1930**: The Chrysler Building passes it as the tallest structure
- **2022**: New antennas raise it to about 330 m

Full timeline: https://detailenjoyer.com/timeline/?case=eiffel

## Quick facts

- **DD-156-F01**: It was built for the 1889 World's Fair. _(Write-up · Exhibit A (1889))_
- **DD-156-F02**: It's a wrought-iron lattice tower. _(Write-up · Exhibit B (Wrought iron))_

## Write-up

Leading artists once petitioned against the Eiffel Tower. It was the world's tallest structure until 1930.

1. **1889**: It was built for the 1889 World's Fair.
2. **Wrought iron**: It's a wrought-iron lattice tower.
3. **Artists' protest**: Artists and intellectuals protested it.
4. **Tallest until 1930**: It was the tallest structure until 1930.
5. **Height**: It's about 330 m with antennas since 2022.

## Related case files

- [The Great Pyramid (DD-092)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/the-great-pyramid/): I linked another former tallest structure
- [Empire State (DD-157)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/empire-state/): I linked the next record-holder for height
- [Burj Khalifa (DD-158)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/burj-khalifa/): I linked an earlier record-setting tower

## Reel vs. record

- **Note**: 'Standing at 324 meters': that was its long-standing height; new antennas raised it to about 330 m in 2022.

## Video: Eiffel: Leading Artists Once Petitioned Against the Eiffel Tower

- Duration: 39.6 s · Published: 2024-01-02
- File: https://detailenjoyer.com/assets/videos/C1lgNgfM0RD.mp4

### Transcript

The Eiffel Tower completed in 1889 as the entrance arch for the 1889 World's was initially criticized by some of France's leading artists and intellectuals for its design. However, over time it has become a symbol of Paris and is now globally recognized and appreciated for its architectural beauty and engineering. DID YOU KNOW? The lattice-like structure was not only a feat of engineering but also a nod to the principles of transparency and modernity. Standing at 324 meters or 1,063 the Eiffel Tower held the title of the tallest man-made structure in the world until the completion of the Chrysler Building in New York in 1930. NOW YOU KNOW!

## Questions & answers

**Q: For which event was the tower built?**  
A: The entrance arch. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (1889) · Wikipedia: Eiffel Tower)_

**Q: What is it made of?**  
A: A lattice. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Wrought iron) · Wikipedia: Eiffel Tower)_

**Q: Who protested during construction?**  
A: They called it ugly. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Artists' protest) · Wikipedia: Eiffel Tower)_

**Q: What took its tallest title in 1930?**  
A: In New York. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Tallest until 1930) · Wikipedia: Eiffel Tower)_

**Q: About how tall is it now?**  
A: Including antennas. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Height) · Wikipedia: Eiffel Tower)_

## Sources

- [Wikipedia: Eiffel Tower](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eiffel_Tower)

## Cite this case file

Easterling, Marcus. "Eiffel." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-156, last updated Jan 2, 2024. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/eiffel/