10 facts about the Eiffel tower

On March 31, 1889, 132 years ago in Paris, a solemn opening of the Eiffel tower. On this day the engineer Gustave Eiffel hoisted on top of the tower French flag.

We present ten facts about the Eiffel tower, the most recognizable architectural landmark of Paris, known worldwide as a symbol of France.

When a huge tower was inaugurated in 1889, it was the highest structure on the planet. Already in 1930, this title caught the skyscraper of the company "Chrysler" (pictured), ahead of the tower is 18 metres. However, if the height of the Eiffel tower to add to the length of its 24-metre antenna that Chrysler will be left behind. Nowadays Eiffel tower only ranks fifth among the tall buildings of France.

Eiffel tower on the plain form, but it is an illusion of perspective. In fact, the structure is painted in three different shades. The dark tone used at the base of the building, and the light on top. The tower is covered with 60 tons of paint every seven years to protect it from corrosion.

Famous chef Alain Ducasse (Alain Ducasse) holds a gourmet restaurant on the second floor of the tower.

In 1912, the developer of the coat parachute decided to test his invention on the Eiffel tower. The man jumped from the third site facilities and died.

Before you take Paris to the Germans during the Second world war, the French committed the sabotage at the Eiffel tower. They disabled the Elevator, so that the enemies could not enjoy views of the city. But Hitler did not trouble to climb the tower on foot. The lifts were repaired in 1944, and all the allied soldiers were allowed free entrance to the top.

A small copy of the Eiffel tower in different parts of the world: in Las Vegas, Chinese Gunjou and Shenzhen, Romanian Slobozia, in Copenhagen (Denmark), Varna (Bulgaria), Aktau (Kazakhstan) and other cities.

Gustave Eiffel engraved on the tower the names of 72 prominent French scientists and mathematicians of the time.

In the years 1925-1934 car company Citroën used the four sides of the tower as a Billboard. It was the biggest advertising of those times.

Despite the height, only one person got broken during the installation of the tower.

Thomas Edison visited the Eiffel tower and was extremely amazed by it. He wrote in the guest book: "Mr. Eiffel the engineer the brave Builder huge and extraordinary creations of modern engineering from one who admires all engineers including the Great Engineer the Lord God. Thomas Edison".