Conquering Height: The Second Platform

As the tower rose past the first platform, new challenges emerged. Wind became a constant adversary. At 115 meters—the height of the second platform—gusts could shift unsecured pieces dangerously. Work stopped whenever winds exceeded 40 kilometers per hour.

Eiffel's calculations proved remarkably accurate. The tower's open lattice design allowed wind to pass through, reducing pressure. Even in strong winds, the structure swayed only a few centimeters. Workers quickly adapted to the motion, developing sea legs for the sky.

The human challenges grew with altitude. Some workers discovered vertigo for the first time. Rather than dismiss them, Eiffel reassigned them to ground duties at full pay—an unusual compassion for the era. Others thrived on the height. A group of Mohawk ironworkers from Canada, in Paris for the Exposition, visited the site and impressed everyone by walking the beams without safety equipment, though Eiffel quickly insisted they follow the same safety rules as everyone else.