How the Eiffel Tower Was Built
How the Eiffel Tower Was Built — an illustrated inventions story. 10 illustrated pages, free to read on Wonder Inventions.
Page 1
Adaeze sighed, tossing her science book onto the living room floor. "Another day, another boring lesson," she mumbled. Her older brother, Kwame, chuckled, pointing at his phone. "Pass me that, will you? I need to check the football scores." Adaeze handed over the sleek device, then asked, "Kwame, who even invented these things? Phones, lights, everything... how did people manage before?"
Page 2
Kwame shrugged. "I dunno, probably some genius. Why does it matter?" Adaeze jumped up, eyes wide with excitement. "It matters because everything around us is an invention!" She dashed to her science-themed bedroom, grabbing her worn leather notebook and rushing towards her bookshelf. "I'm going to find out!" she exclaimed, pulling out a glowing, ancient book. "It's time for the 'Invention Encyclopedia' to work its magic!"
Page 3
A swirl of light engulfed Adaeze, transporting her to a bustling street. Gas lamps flickered, casting long shadows on cobblestone roads. Horse-drawn carriages clattered past, and men in top hats hurried along. "Wow, Paris in 1887," she murmured, scribbling furiously in her notebook. "This is what life looked like before the Eiffel Tower was finished!" she exclaimed to herself, noting the incomplete cityscape.
Page 4
A woman bumped into Adaeze, nearly knocking her over. "Pardon, mademoiselle!" Katya, a determined 12-year-old female, stocky and sturdy, with sun-kissed bronze skin and long braided dark brown hair with small beads, apologized quickly. Adaeze, regaining her balance, asked, "Excuse me, but what is all the fuss about that... that metal thing they're building?" Katya raised an eyebrow. "'That metal thing' is the Eiffel Tower! Monsieur Eiffel says it will be the tallest structure in the world!"
Page 5
Adaeze's eyes widened. "Eiffel? Gustave Eiffel? The engineer?" Katya nodded. "The very same! He faced much criticism. People said it was ugly and useless. But Eiffel, he believes in progress!" Just then, a commotion erupted nearby. Some gentlemen were shouting and waving their walking sticks. "Down with the tower! It's a monstrosity!" one yelled. Adaeze overheard someone shout "'Art should elevate, not assault!'"
Page 6
Katya grabbed Adaeze's hand. "Come on, I know someone who works on the tower. Let's hear the truth!" They weaved through the crowd and approached the construction site. A young woman with grease-stained overalls was tightening bolts. Katya introduced her as Sama, a spirited 9-year-old female, average height with a round face, with porcelain skin with pink cheeks and twin braids of sandy-brown hair tied with ribbons, who helped her father on the project. "Sama, what's it like building this giant thing?"
Page 7
Sama wiped her brow. "It's hard work, but amazing! Monsieur Eiffel designed it with such precision. Each piece fits perfectly. It's like a giant puzzle!" Adaeze frowned. "But I heard it's just for the World's Fair in 1889. Then it'll be torn down?" Sama shrugged. "Some say that. But Papa says Monsieur Eiffel believes it will become a symbol of Paris, a testament to French engineering! He even told me 'Vision is the art of seeing what is invisible to others,' which is something Jonathan Swift wrote!"
Page 8
Adaeze scribbled furiously in her notebook, remembering something she read. "Wait! I read that Eiffel used a special lattice design and hydraulic elevators to make it so tall and strong!" Just then, a cable snapped, sending a load of iron girders swinging dangerously. Workers scattered, shouting in alarm. Katya gasped. "Look out!"
Page 9
Remembering the hydraulics Adaeze read about, she yelled, "Sama, your father! Where are the emergency hydraulic controls?" Sama, her eyes wide with fear, pointed towards a nearby platform. "Up there! But it's too dangerous!" Adaeze didn't hesitate. She scrambled up the scaffolding, grabbing onto the metal beams. "Someone has to do something!"
Page 10
With a final push, Adaeze reached the platform and slammed the hydraulic lever. The swinging girders stopped just inches from the workers. A collective sigh of relief swept through the construction site. Just as quickly, a swirl of light appeared, pulling Adaeze back to her bedroom. She grinned. "The Eiffel Tower wasn't just built of iron; it was built of courage and ingenuity! That thing generates over 441 million annually today!"
About this story
- Audience: kids (ages 6–12)
Questions and answers
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