Eiffel Tower's Massive New Observation Deck to be Made of Kevlar Webbing - io9 Comments

Eiffel Tower's Massive New Observation Deck to be Made of Kevlar Webbing

simonjp — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 04:38:27 PDT

It's not like the tower's always looked the same; as was pointed out earlier, it's been an advertising hoarding, different colours, etc. I'm not convinced it should be a permanent addition, but it's interesting to see that people can accept something so drastic to such a beloved landmark.

I'm sure the little-Eiffel-tower sellers will be overjoyed; an excuse to sell *more* of the things...

simonjp

Eiffel Tower's Massive New Observation Deck to be Made of Kevlar Webbing

salamander42 — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 21:45:42 PDT

In that fist pic it looks like a mushroom. I can't really decide if I think it looks good or bad, but it's definitely different which I guess is good.

salamander42

Eiffel Tower's Massive New Observation Deck to be Made of Kevlar Webbing

Jeff-Minor — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 06:29:14 PDT

@Gyrus: Gyrus, I think it is pretty when it lights up. The statue of Liberty is on the water and is a figure, so it's a little different. The tower was Eiffel's statement: Bigger is better! Over compensation has been the stuff of many a builder. "Oh-my-God, look how BIG it is!" Now, Let's get some big domes in Paris and cellebrate the love of huge tits.

Jeff-Minor

Eiffel Tower's Massive New Observation Deck to be Made of Kevlar Webbing

Thorfin — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 23:35:03 PDT

So--How many channels they gonna get with that rig?

Thorfin

Eiffel Tower's Massive New Observation Deck to be Made of Kevlar Webbing

technobee — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 21:19:52 PDT

So who's going to be the first group of people to go out there and test how much weight it can take? Not it!

technobee

Eiffel Tower's Massive New Observation Deck to be Made of Kevlar Webbing

Adam_C — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 18:11:13 PDT

To my knowledge, no french media have mentionned the story so far so... merci pour l'info io9!

Adam_C

Eiffel Tower's Massive New Observation Deck to be Made of Kevlar Webbing

Whyaduck — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 17:45:08 PDT

@Gyrus: Yep, the Eiffel Tower is excellent at warning airplanes not to run into...well, the Eiffel Tower.

Whyaduck

Eiffel Tower's Massive New Observation Deck to be Made of Kevlar Webbing

kadaj_sama — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 17:24:02 PDT

you know it looks like the tops is collapsing slowly....
kinda like in movies where you get the neat ripple as the building falls down on itself.

kadaj_sama

Eiffel Tower's Massive New Observation Deck to be Made of Kevlar Webbing

Greasy Thumb Guzik — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 16:39:36 PDT

And the Eiffel Tower was once the world's largest advertising sign

[www.myweb.com.au]

Greasy Thumb Guzik

Eiffel Tower's Massive New Observation Deck to be Made of Kevlar Webbing

fuchikoma — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 14:27:40 PDT

Nice, but I wonder how exactly it will be done. I know it is used in bridge repairs, but doesn't UV light break down Kevlar rather quickly? I guess this would be some kind of layup with an adhesive and maybe a lightweight substructure?

I'm no architect - just applying what I know about building with synthetic fabrics...

fuchikoma

Eiffel Tower's Massive New Observation Deck to be Made of Kevlar Webbing

Gyrus — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 13:47:24 PDT

Well if it's got no use, then let's just tear it down! Along with the Washington Monument, the Statue of Liberty and that ugly old tower in Piza (that one's falling down anyway!)

As for the Eiffel Tower not being a lighthouse...

Gyrus

Eiffel Tower's Massive New Observation Deck to be Made of Kevlar Webbing

Jeff-Minor — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 13:24:49 PDT

Gyrus, its historical context is that it was built as a temporary piece, basically just a tall tower built for sake of showing off how modern materials could be used. It's not much more than a building that has no function other than providing people with a view from the top. Unlike many towers of old, this one isn't even a good lighthouse, since it's not on he water. But taste being subjective, there are those who like it, and those who don't.

Jeff-Minor

Eiffel Tower's Massive New Observation Deck to be Made of Kevlar Webbing

Gyrus — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 12:50:18 PDT

I wasn't comparing it to All Of Paris. That'd be silly. It's one building among many fine pieces of architecture. I'm just putting it into historical context.

Gyrus

Eiffel Tower's Massive New Observation Deck to be Made of Kevlar Webbing

Blue Oyster Cultist — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 12:31:53 PDT

@Gyrus: Comparing it to the rest of what Paris has to offer, I'd say most of the comentary on it has been pretty subdued. It's a monument to the rivit, and if you spend any time in that city and even remotely think it was the coolest thing there, you really missed out...

I do like the term techno-hippie though, goes a long way in describing this site.

Blue Oyster Cultist

Eiffel Tower's Massive New Observation Deck to be Made of Kevlar Webbing

Gyrus — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 11:32:19 PDT

What's with all the Eiffel hate? It's a beautiful magnificent work of art.

In the 19th century, nothing like this had ever been built or even imagined. For decades, it was the tallest man made structure in the world. It's the epitome of paleofutristic hopes and dreams, of what progress meant to the first generation who could imagine a future that would be something other than the same misery and tragedy that life had always been. It was Modern with a capitol M, back when that was unheard of. It stands in stark contrast to the baroque and neoclassical buildings that are all around it.

At the dawn of the twentieth century people could look out their windows and see the future standing right there.

But hay it's just a big iron building. It wasn't even built with nanotechnology! And it has nothing to do with the Singularity! So it couldn't possibly be futuristic and beautiful. Except it's real. But unless it has something to do with some techno-hippie's fantasy about living in a computer simulation, it doesn't count as futuristic. So why bother, right?

And the little lotus petal addition is awesome. I hope they leave it.

Gyrus

Eiffel Tower's Massive New Observation Deck to be Made of Kevlar Webbing

braak — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 10:58:24 PDT

@NefariousNewt: Yeah, I still think it's more stylish than the Pompidou Center.

braak

Eiffel Tower's Massive New Observation Deck to be Made of Kevlar Webbing

JRock — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 10:48:49 PDT

Several years ago when the Washington Monument was being renovated, they had scaffolding around all sides of it, going all the way up, and it was all lit up at night. It looked really cool and I remember a lot of people saying they wished that they would just leave it up there after they finished.

JRock

Eiffel Tower's Massive New Observation Deck to be Made of Kevlar Webbing

Blue Oyster Cultist — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 10:32:31 PDT

@tetracycloide: sarcasm?

Blue Oyster Cultist

Eiffel Tower's Massive New Observation Deck to be Made of Kevlar Webbing

Marcelo — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 10:13:42 PDT

Ehn. I'd lose it.

Marcelo

Eiffel Tower's Massive New Observation Deck to be Made of Kevlar Webbing

NefariousNewt — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 10:01:29 PDT

That's no tower -- it's a ray gun!

NefariousNewt

Eiffel Tower's Massive New Observation Deck to be Made of Kevlar Webbing

Whyaduck — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 09:40:34 PDT

Looks kind of like the cone they put on animals after surgery so they don't chew their bandages.

In my experience, you get a better view from Tour Montparnasse. Because, you know, you can't see the Eiffel Tower from the Eiffel Tower (the old joke is, it's the best view in Paris because it's the only place in the city where you can't see the Tour Montparnasse).

Whyaduck

Eiffel Tower's Massive New Observation Deck to be Made of Kevlar Webbing

Jeff-Minor — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 09:34:50 PDT

I think it looks like a giant flower on top of an ugly mass of iron. It doesn't make it look any worse, IMHO.

Jeff-Minor

Eiffel Tower's Massive New Observation Deck to be Made of Kevlar Webbing

strider_mt2k — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 09:28:27 PDT

Or maybe Torchwood is turning into a weapon and this is the cover story?

I would look to see if the surrounding buildings might be modified to make the area a big parabolic dish somehow.
That and power usage.

Okay people I expect reports before midnight let's get on it!

strider_mt2k

Eiffel Tower's Massive New Observation Deck to be Made of Kevlar Webbing

tetracycloide — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 09:15:42 PDT

@Epaminondas: you sure you don't have the tower mixed up with the louvre?

tetracycloide

Eiffel Tower's Massive New Observation Deck to be Made of Kevlar Webbing

NefariousNewt — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 09:15:31 PDT

@braak: And having been to it twice, I can see there point. It's a big, brown oil derrick right in the center of Paris. During the day it's kind dull (and yes, I have the obligatory picture of me standing with it in the background); it's much nicer at night, though it's a bit cool up on the observation deck with the constant breeze.

I think it looks more like the Space Needle in Seattle now. It'll be interesting to see how "temporary" this mod is.

NefariousNewt

Eiffel Tower's Massive New Observation Deck to be Made of Kevlar Webbing

DCGaymer — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 09:10:01 PDT

QUICK....Everyone run to one side!

DCGaymer

Eiffel Tower's Massive New Observation Deck to be Made of Kevlar Webbing

Blue Oyster Cultist — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 09:07:36 PDT

The least impressive aspect of a fantastic city.

Blue Oyster Cultist

Eiffel Tower's Massive New Observation Deck to be Made of Kevlar Webbing

braak — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 09:06:20 PDT

Who can say with the French, anyway?

They all hated the Eiffel Tower when it was built in the first place.

braak

Eiffel Tower's Massive New Observation Deck to be Made of Kevlar Webbing

Git Em SteveDave is a poor substitute for LindsayJoy — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 09:03:51 PDT

@Gann: Yeah, watch as we piss of some alien who thinks we're aiming at him.

It sort of reminds me of the egg from Aliens in a way.

Git Em SteveDave is a poor substitute for LindsayJoy

Eiffel Tower's Massive New Observation Deck to be Made of Kevlar Webbing

desiredusername — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 08:58:47 PDT

It looks terrible, but if it's temporary I guess I'll live.

desiredusername

Eiffel Tower's Massive New Observation Deck to be Made of Kevlar Webbing

MonkeyT — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 08:57:19 PDT

In my opinion, it doesn't look bad at all, but considering that Eiffel's work is seen as being emblematic of the industrial revolution and the advent of a future of steel, it's kinda like putting an Easter bonnet on a steam engine.

MonkeyT

Eiffel Tower's Massive New Observation Deck to be Made of Kevlar Webbing

ElijahDProphet — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 08:56:58 PDT

@strider_mt2k: Did that guy just say rings are cool?

ElijahDProphet

Eiffel Tower's Massive New Observation Deck to be Made of Kevlar Webbing

Chiper — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 08:54:02 PDT

Here's the real question. Will the Paris Casino be altering their Eiffel Tower to match it?

Uhm, not to be "that guy", but why is this on io9?

Chiper

Eiffel Tower's Massive New Observation Deck to be Made of Kevlar Webbing

Jakus — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 08:53:52 PDT

it all fun and games till it takes off to return to its homeworld

Jakus

Eiffel Tower's Massive New Observation Deck to be Made of Kevlar Webbing

Gann — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 08:53:15 PDT

It looks like it should shoot a laser beam out of the top.

Gann

Eiffel Tower's Massive New Observation Deck to be Made of Kevlar Webbing

strider_mt2k — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 08:48:46 PDT

That actually doesn't look all that bad.
As long as it's temporary and doesn't mess the thing up structurally I'm all for it!

It's almost like they're putting Jetsons rings around the top to make it future-y.

strider_mt2k

Eiffel Tower's Massive New Observation Deck to be Made of Kevlar Webbing

Surreality — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 08:40:15 PDT

That funny considering the tower itself was originally intended to be a temporary structure. Wonder if by temporary they mean another 120 years. The new platform looks cool.

Surreality