The idea for a tower came to Gustave Eiffel (1832-1923) as a result of his study of high metal piles and their application to viaducts. 

The initial project dates from 1884; between 1887 and 1889 three hundred skyjacks pieced the tower together using two and a half million rivets. 

Eiffel, in his enthusiasm, exclaimed, "France will be the only country with a 300m flagpole!". 

Despite the critics, it's very boldness and novelty brought it also great acclaim.  By the beginning of the new century it had become a subject for celebration by a new generation poets, writers, and artists.   

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