Eiffel Tower by Gustave Eiffel 1889
The Eiffel tower was built as the entrance arch for the World's Fair in 1889. At 985 feet tall it was the tallest building in the world until the Empire State Building was built in 1930. The tower was the topic of much controversy; the French considered it an "eye sore" and were very angry it was going to be allowed to stand for 20 years (that was how long the architect obtained a license for the structure to stand). During the World's Fair the tower received so much praise and recognition and attention that it quickly became a symbol of France. Nearly 2 million people visited the tower in its first year which boosted the French economy as well. 
The shape of the tower was determined by mathematical calculations and wind resistance and thermal heat were factored into the equation as well. The structure is made of up 15,000 pieces of iron and weighs approximately 7,000 tons and depending on the temperature the top of the tower may shift away from the sun by up to 7 inches because of thermal expansion of the metal on the side facing the sun. The tower also sways 2–3 inches in the wind. To protect the tower and prevent rust it is painted every 7 years with 50-60 tons of paint. In order to maintain a uniform appearance to an observer on the ground, three separate colors of paint are used on the tower, with the darkest on the bottom and the lightest at the top. 
The Eiffel tower was built as the entrance arch for the World's Fair in 1889. At 985 feet tall it was the tallest building in the world until the Empire State Building was built in 1930. The tower was the topic of much controversy; the French considered it an "eye sore" and were very angry it was going to be allowed to stand for 20 years (that was how long the architect obtained a license for the structure to stand). During the World's Fair the tower received so much praise and recognition and attention that it quickly became a symbol of France. Nearly 2 million people visited the tower in its first year which boosted the French economy as well. The shape of the tower was determined by mathematical calculations and wind resistance and thermal heat were factored into the equation as well. The structure is made of up 15,000 pieces of iron and weighs approximately 7,000 tons and depending on the temperature the top of the tower may shift away from the sun by up to 7 inches because of thermal expansion of the metal on the side facing the sun. The tower also sways 2–3 inches in the wind. To protect the tower and prevent rust it is painted every 7 years with 50-60 tons of paint. In order to maintain a uniform appearance to an observer on the ground, three separate colors of paint are used on the tower, with the darkest on the bottom and the lightest at the top. "Can one think that because we are engineers, beauty does not preoccupy us or that we do not try to build beautiful, as well as solid and long lasting structures? Aren't the genuine functions of strength always in keeping with unwritten conditions of harmony? ... Besides, there is an attraction, a special charm in the colossal to which ordinary theories of art do not apply."
— Gustave Eiffel
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