The English held a contest to design London’s wacky rip-off of the Eiffel Tower — Inspired
by the financial success of the Eiffel Tower — which was erected in
Paris for the 1889 World's Fair — a group of Englishmen attempted to
bang out their own ersatz Eiffel a year later. This contest to design
the never-to-be "Great Tower of London" received 68 designs. Some
resemble alien fortresses and all of them would've (supposedly) prompted
an international Eiffel Tower arms race. To quote:
Taking
into consideration the enormous popularity of the Eiffel Tower and the
consequent pecuniary benefits conferred on those interested in that
undertaking, it is not too much to anticipate that, in the course of a
short time, every important country will possess its tall Tower. The
project of erecting a great Tower in London soon found the willing
support of many capitalists, who felt convinced that if the scheme were
properly laid before the public there would be no great difficulty in
accomplishing the object. 12 more images after the break...
The
pamphlet further elaborated that "the high land between Willesden and
Harrow at Wembly Park, has been selected (subject to further
consideration)" as a location for this tower. You can see the first two
winners — which top out at 1,200 and 1,300 feet, respectively — below,
along with some of the zanier proposals. I'm particularly partial to the
upside-down screw that is the "Century Tower."
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