Why are 72 names inscribed on the Eiffel Tower?

The Eiffel Tower features the raised lettering of 72 French scientists, engineers, and mathematicians around its sides to honor their contributions since 1789. Gustave Eiffel chose this invocation of science to counter protests against the tower's construction. Over time, these gold-painted engravings faded and were painted over before being fully restored to their original color.

What we know

• Seventy-two names of French male scientists, engineers, and mathematicians appear in raised lettering on the sides of the Eiffel Tower. [2]
• Gustave Eiffel selected these names as an invocation of science to address his concerns over public protests against the tower. [2]
• The inscribed names honor individuals who distinguished themselves in France from 1789 to 1889. [1, 2]
• The engravings, originally painted in gold, were painted over during the early 20th century and later restored. [2]

Still open

• It remains to be seen whether a proposal presented in 2026 to add 72 leading women to the tower will be officially adopted.

Where to go next

• whoWho was Gustave Eiffel?
• how it workedHow was the Eiffel Tower constructed?
• compared withWhat was Watkin's Tower?
• whenThe 1889 World's Fair in Paris
• the bigger pictureMonuments and historical sites in Paris
• an unexpected connectionWhy did an English entrepreneur try to build a tower taller than the Eiffel Tower?Railway entrepreneur Sir Edward Watkin led the ambitious project to build Watkin's Tower in London specifically to surpass the height of the Eiffel Tower.

Sources

• [1]72 names on the Eiffel Tower (Wikidata Q162873) · CC0 1.0
• [2]List of names on the Eiffel Tower · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [3]Gustave Eiffel · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [4]Eiffel Tower · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [5]Watkin's Tower · CC BY-SA 4.0

Your path

1. What is a phantom island and how do they end up on maps?
2. /Why are 72 names inscribed on the Eiffel Tower?