For 133 years, the Eiffel Tower has been a powerful and distinctive symbol of the city of Paris, and by extension, of France. At first, when it was built for the 1889 World’s Fair, it impressed the entire world by its stature and daring design, and symbolised French know-how and industrial genius.
Did you know about Eiffel Tower!
- It was designed at home, on the kitchen table…
- by someone who didn’t get their name on it
- Never been done before, not guaranteed to get built or to work
- It was criticised by hundreds of leading intellectuals and cultural experts
- It wasn’t supposed to last very long
- Originally, it was intended to be a temporary exhibit for the 1889 Exposition Universelle [World’s Fair] held in Paris.
- It was only meant to stand for 20 years. It was saved from demolition by proving its value as a communications tower for the city.
- The tower’s lighting at night is eco-friendly, using energy-efficient LED bulbs.
- People flock to it because it’s famous
- You can sketch a recognisable version of it on a napkin
The fact that the Eiffel Tower was designed on a kitchen table is a reminder that innovation and great ideas can originate from unexpected places.
It emphasises the importance of allowing creativity to flourish, regardless of where it takes root.
The tower’s designer, Gustave Eiffel, didn’t have his name prominently displayed on the structure.
This underscores the idea that personal recognition isn’t always the primary motivation for significant accomplishments.
Some people are more driven by the desire to create something lasting and meaningful.
Your turn to build one.
By Dr. Roche Mamabolo – Founder and CEO of Lora Institute of Entrepreneurship
