The Eiffel Tower is one of the human race ’s most famousselfiebackdrops , but it ’s also home to a little - love flat with an intriguing history infuse in science and secrecy .
The Eiffel Tower was unveiled in Paris as thepièce de résistanceof the 1889 World ’s Fair . It was engineered as a testament to France ’s technical machinations and as a monumental way to score the 100th anniversary of theFrench Revolution . Gustave Eiffel , whose company designed and built the tower , add up a numeral of backstairs extras to it , ranging from a mysterious apartment to telegraph and radio broadcast equipment . It was this equipment that may havesaved the Eiffel Towerfrom being torn down as a temporary exhibit left over from the World ’s Fair , a wipeout that was slated for 20 age from the clock time of its launching . change state out , the French government discovered and take account the wireless — yes , tuner in 1889 ! — telegraphy sender and wireless feeler so much that it choose to keep and care for the tower indefinitely .
In 1903 , just six short year before the column was to be demolish , Eiffel repeat down on his invitation to scientist to host brainy discussions and conduct research from within the column ’s little - known flat . The apartment , about 1,000 feet ( 304 meters ) off the ground , was outfitted with intimate rugs and chairs smother by other comforts , but it also had side by side infinite to assist as mini laboratories .
From this doll - layer flat , the standard atmosphere was value , the stars and planet were observed and the bounds of physic were explored by some of the nifty minds of the later 19th and early twentieth centuries . By 1903 , Eiffel had found the reply to salve his tower . Captain Gustave Ferriè experiment withwireless broadcast signaling , finally sending signal as far as North America . The Eiffel Tower , and its scientific use , became too important to the French government to be torn down . Just a few age afterward , the towboat would bring a lively role inWorld War I , when the French military used the wireless communicators to convey to ships in the Atlantic Ocean .
Today , the Eiffel Tower receives about 7 million visitors each year , and those who purchase a slate to the top of the tower can take care through a windowpane at the apartment where Thomas Edison once converse with Eiffel and other invitation - only learned guests . For the most part , the apartment’soriginal appearancehas been preserved . There is upholstered furniture , a grand piano and furbish forest cabinet against a backdrop of patterned wallpaper . The apartment ’s laboratory areas still exhibit some of their original scientific equipment , and there is an observatory above the flat that is not open to public viewing .
While you ca n’t ride out in the original apartment at the Eiffel Tower , there is now another option . TheGustave Eiffel Reception Room , situated at 187 feet ( 57 meters ) off the ground , is exposed for event letting for a starting fee of 7,500 dog pound sterling , which is about $ 10,000 .
