Why the Eiffel Tower Was Almost Torn Down

The Historical Story: Paris Almost Lost Its Icon

When Gustave Eiffel designed his tower for the 1889 World’s Fair in Paris, it was not celebrated.

It was mocked.

Prominent artists and writers of the time signed a petition calling it a “monstrous black smokestack” and an “eyesore” that would scar the skyline of Paris. Newspapers ridiculed it. Many Parisians wanted it torn down as soon as the exhibition was over.

In fact, the tower was originally scheduled to be dismantled after 20 years.

But Eiffel fought to keep it standing. He found practical uses for the structure, like hosting a radio antenna that justified its existence. Slowly, public opinion began to shift.

Today, the Eiffel Tower isn’t just tolerated. It’s the global symbol of Paris. An icon that defines a city.

And yet, at its birth, it was considered a mistake.

The Tip: When Ideas Look “Wrong”

There’s a lesson here for anyone trying to create something original:

The best ideas rarely look right at first.

If your idea feels disruptive, it’s going to feel uncomfortable. To you. To your audience. To the people closest to you.

That doesn’t mean you’re wrong. It means you’re early.

Original ideas almost always follow this path:

1. Rejection — “That’ll never work.”

2. Resistance — “Why can’t you just do it the normal way?”

3. Reassessment — “Maybe there’s something here.”

4. Respect — “Of course it worked—how could we not have seen it?”

The difference between ridicule and respect is perseverance.

The Personal Story: When My Instincts Paid Off

I’ve felt this in my own journey.

When I first leaned hard into ghostwriting and personal branding, plenty of people thought I was wasting time. “Why not stick with the traditional path?” “Isn’t social media just a distraction?”

Even when I was getting traction, there were doubts. My content wasn’t always getting big numbers. My approach to storytelling didn’t look like what others were doing. To some, it looked “wrong.”

But I stuck with it because I knew it was right.

And then the shift happened. My posts weren’t just getting likes, they were sparking DMs. Founders and executives started reaching out. My business began to grow, not in theory, but in reality.

The instincts that once looked like a mistake became the foundation of everything I do today.

Bringing It Home

The Eiffel Tower reminds us of something simple but vital: icons aren’t born. They’re built.

And in the building process, they often look like failures.

If you’ve got an idea that feels uncomfortable (if people are doubting, questioning, or resisting) it might be a sign you’re onto something.

Because originality rarely looks safe. But safety rarely changes anything.

If you’re ready to stop playing it safe and start building something original, let’s talk.

Through my Creative Catalyst Method, I help founders and executives create content systems that feel authentic, attract the right people, and build businesses that last.

Reply with “Original” and I’ll show you how we can shape your voice into something iconic on a quick 15-minute call.