Building the Eiffel Tower | Full Documentary | NOVA | PBS

Channel: NOVA PBS Official
Uploaded by NOVA PBS Official on 20240215
Categories: Science & Technology
Tags: nova, pbs, novapbs

Explore the engineering behind Paris’s iconic landmark, the tallest structure of its time. Official Website: https://to.pbs.org/49api5G | #novapbs Explore the revolutionary engineering behind Paris’s iconic landmark. Completed in just over two years for the 1889 World’s Fair, the iron tower smashed the record for the tallest str

This documentary details the conception, engineering, and construction of the Eiffel Tower, exploring how Gustave Eiffel and his team built the iconic monument for the 1889 World's Fair in Paris. Conception and Design: The initial idea for a 1,000-foot iron tower came from Eiffel's engineers, Maurice Koechlin and Émile Nouguier []. After architect Stephen Sauvestre added decorative arches and platforms [], Eiffel embraced the project []. Inspired by his previous successes with wrought iron—such as the Garabit Viaduct []—Eiffel selected wrought iron for its combination of high compressive and tensile strength, flexibility, and affordability []. The tower's signature curved, tapered profile was meticulously designed to efficiently withstand powerful wind loads by directing forces downward []. Foundations and Construction Challenges: Building near the Seine River required deep, water-resistant foundations []. Eiffel utilized compressed-air caissons—a technique he previously used for railway bridge piers []—though workers suffered from decompression sickness []. To assemble the structure's 18,038 pre-fabricated pieces with millimeter precision, teams relied on traditional hot-riveting methods [

Viewer Discussion & Comments

@bravotwozero8119

One thing Nova didn't mention was that part of the criteria of the French government to build the tower was that it had to be all French materials and construction. The American elevator company Otis knew that at some point Eiffel would be contacting them because they were confident they were the only elevator company that could design and build elevators for the unique structure. Sure enough, that's exactly what happened and the elevators are the only non-French part of the structure. Otis has upgraded various components of the elevators over the years.

@jodywho6696

I am never disappointed. Love Nova. Love PBS. ✨💙💜💚💛✨

@MojoMan007

Excellent program! Would welcome more programs on landmarks, unique sites, bridges, and buildings.

@gtrese3170

Thank you Nova. The Eiffel Tower seems so extraordinary for having been built in 1889, and so far beyond in height anything else at the time. And to this day it is such an elegant shape. Glad it was not disassembled after the worlds fair as originally planned. What a shame that would have been

@flashflame4952

THANK YOU for presenting this fantastic program!!!

@pauladams7344

I emerged out of the Metro at the Trocadero and there was the Tower ! One of the high points of my life .....

@bishopsdad

I think this Nova episode is one of my favorites of all time. I found it to be not only informative but “riveting”

@MrMacMahon

This is the Eiffel Tower documentary I've been waiting for. I will be incorporating it onto my Foundations of Engineering curriculum, along with correcting and clarifying a few little bits of it.

@HawthorneHillNaturePreserve

We should never forget the role France played in the creation of our nation! From the revolutionary war, through two world wars and beyond, they have been a close ally and friend to the United States. We need only look to the Statue of Liberty to remind us of these facts. 🇺🇸 🇫🇷 🙏

@DianeEllis-xk1jj

Love the NOVA Documentaries! Happy Valentines Day everyone!

@SammyNeedsAnAlibi

As per usual, Nova blows me away learning about something I hadn't given much thought to- until now. Well done by all that had a hand in creating it- BRAVO!

@quickdeuce

I wonder how many of us appreciate the mind of Eifel and his staff. I,, for one,, have heard of this structure so many times in my 77 years but NEVER had/have I wondered about what was involved in designing and constructing such a marvelous and magnificent structure. Thanks to NOVA I now understand just how important to the World and wonderous to every nation the Eifel Tower was and IS to this day. We MUST thank the city of Paris, the Government of France for permitting and financing Gustav Eifel build that wonderful Tower.

@carlmartin7122

a remakerble structure by a remarkerble team of engineers and labourers, and all without modern day technology.👏👏👨‍🔧👷‍♀🗽🛠

@snake5838

Fantastic Nova episode !

@lavedadavis818

I never thought I'd ever get a chance to visit Europe, let alone be blessed with 4 trips there. Milan. Munich. Amsterdam. Versailles. Salzburg. But it was Paris that brought me to tears. What a architectural masterpiece that city is. The Eiffel Tower is truly a wonder of the world!!! Thanks PBS!!