Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2012
THEN
Jan. 3, 1956, a fire breaks out atop the world famous Eiffel Tower in Paris, France, severely damages the structure’s summit creating a cloud of black smoke visible from much of the city. The cause of the fire was electrical and in an area of the tower containing radio and television installations. In order to extinguish the blaze, firefighters climb on foot to the top of the 984-foot structure. The Eiffel Tower was completed on March 31, 1889, after more than two years of construction.
NOW
On Saturday night, thousands of people rang in the New Year watching a spectacular fireworks display at the Eiffel Tower in Paris. In the future, the tower may have a new look if a proposal by French environmental engineering company, Ginger Groupe, is adopted. The company proposes transforming the 122-year-old tower into a “living tree” by covering it with approximately 600,000 plants hung in hemp bags of soil connected to a network of tubing for irrigation. The Ginger Groupe claims the project will be an effective way to help France meet its carbon emission reduction goals. However, the four-year 74 million euro ($96.6 million) plan has yet to gain approval from officials in Paris. Many believe approval is probably a long shot, at best.
