Eiffel Tower Built By Private Enterprise
It is just 50 years since the Eiffel Towei’ in Paris was opened during the Exhibition of 1889. When the tower was newly-born women did not dare to look up at it for fear of upsetting the precarious balance of their elaborately trimmed hats. Gustave Eiffel, the great French engineer, took two years to construct the tower, and had to defray the cost (7,800,000 francs) out of his own pocket. The construction of it was strongly opposed, though Eiffel recouped himself within six months from the gate-money paid by visitors. It is 984 ft high, and, though formerly the tallest building in the world, is now beaten by two in America. On a clear day one can see 45 miles around from the top As long ago as 1908 the tower was turned into a wireless station. Later, people in England had their first thrill of hearing a transmission from abroad by listening to a broadcast from the Tour Eiffel.
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Bibliographic details
Southland Times, Issue 23930, 23 September 1939, Page 13
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166Eiffel Tower Built By Private Enterprise Southland Times, Issue 23930, 23 September 1939, Page 13
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