The Eiffel Tower Can Be Taller in the Summer

 

The Eiffel Tower, designed by engineer Gustave Eiffel, was completed in 1889 as the centerpiece of the 1889 Paris Exposition. It's made of iron, and like all materials, iron expands and contracts with temperature changes. During hot summer days, the iron structure of the tower can expand due to the rising temperatures, making the tower grow by up to 6 inches (15 centimeters). Conversely, in cold weather, it contracts and becomes slightly shorter. The Eiffel Tower's design accounts for these temperature-induced changes, and it remains a stable and iconic landmark in Paris, regardless of the weather.