Looking Up to the Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower was originally intended to stand only for 20 years
Henry Guttmann/Getty

Four Stages of Construction
The Eiffel Tower was originally intended to stand for 20 years, but by proving valuable for communication purposes, it was allowed to remain after the expiration of the permit. The military used it during the First Battle of the Marne, and it duly became a victory statue.

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