The Early Years: Triumph and Uncertainty (1889-1900)

On May 6, 1889, the Eiffel Tower officially opened to the public as the entrance arch to the Exposition Universelle. The first day saw 29,922 visitors, despite many elevators still being tested. By the exposition's end in October, nearly 2 million people had ascended the tower—far exceeding projections and validating Eiffel's financial gamble.

Among the early visitors were luminaries from around the world. Thomas Edison presented Eiffel with a phonograph, inscribing it: "To M. Eiffel, the brave builder of the gigantic and original sample of modern engineering." The King of Siam (now Thailand) climbed all 1,710 steps when told the elevators were occupied, impressing everyone with his stamina.

Yet even as crowds marveled, the tower's future remained uncertain. The agreement with the city of Paris stipulated that after 20 years—in 1909—the tower would be dismantled. Many officials looked forward to this date, viewing the tower as a temporary eyesore on the Parisian skyline.

Gustave Eiffel understood this threat and began immediately to make his tower indispensable. He established a meteorological laboratory on the third floor and invited scientists to conduct experiments. The tower's height made it perfect for studying the upper atmosphere, temperature variations, and wind patterns. By 1900, it housed the most advanced weather station in Europe.