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to bolster his legacy by making sure the tower would stay put after the exposition. Developers originally planned to dismantle it after the Centennial. He got the permit for twenty years, during which time he aggressively cultivated practical purposes for the tower, including communication and military functions. By the time the twenty years were up it was already too popular as a tourist attraction and thus remained.

*The original passengers to the top used to have to change cabins on the way up and walk in between them across a narrow passageway with an impressive but terrifying view.

*The ferris wheel for the 1893 Chicago Exposition was originally built to overtake the Eiffel Tower as the world's tallest structure, but the public was outraged at its appearance, and it was afterward dismantled and sold for scrap.

VISITING THE TOWER

The tower is open 365 days of the year with seasonal hours. Guests can climb the seven hundred and four steps to the second floor or take the elevator to near the top. On the first level, (about 380 feet) visitors can use telescopes and visit shops and exhibits about the operation of the elevators. On this level visitors can see the original hydraulic machinery employed Gustave Eiffel and other historical relics.

On the second second, (about 906 feet) visitors can take in striking panoramic views of Paris and beyond. Displays and dioramas there enhance viewing. At the top is a newly-reproduced version of Gustave Eiffel as a tribute to the great designer, with wax characters of him welcoming Thomas Edison. To make it easy to spot landmarks from the top level there is a map underneath the windows more easily locating and identifying them.

Visitors to the tower can eat at one of the its two (rather spendy) restaurants, buy souvenirs at one of several shops, surf the internet and even mail a post card from the tower's own post office!

FURTHER INFORMATION

Check out the tower's official site at http://www.tour-eiffel.fr/teif fel/uk/ to get a better perspective on this famous European landmark.

Learn more about this author, Carol H. Morgan.
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