Eiffel Tower bust of Gustave Eiffel by Antoine Bourdelle was unveiled at the base of the north leg on 2 May 1929. In 1930, the tower lost the title of the world's tallest structure when the Chrysler Building in New York City was completed. In 1938, the decorative arcade around the first level was removed. Upon the German occupation of Paris in 1940, the lift cables were cut by the French. The tower was closed to the public during the occupation and the lifts were not repaired until 1946. In 1940, German soldiers had to climb the tower to hoist a swastika-centered
Eiffel Tower replicas and derivatives Eiffel Tower replicas and derivatives As one of the most iconic and recognisable structures in the world, the Eiffel Tower has been the inspiration for the creation of over 50 similar towers around the world. Most are not exact replicas, though there are many like it. The Eiffel Tower was an inspiration for the Blackpool Tower in Blackpool, England, which proved that a tower could be a profitable tourist attraction. The Blackpool Tower was originally the idea of the Standard Contract and Debenture Corporation, based in the Isle of Man, who proposed the erection of two towers, one in Blackpool