meters) tall. Glass-walled elevators and
stairs lead up to the first and second
platforms. Other elevators go from the
second level to the third platform near
the top. Along with viewing areas, the
tower has restaurants, a museum, and a
souvenir shop.
The Eiffel Tower is the result of a contest
held by the French government. At
the time the government was organizing
a fair to celebrate the 100-year anniversary
of the start of the French Revolution.
Eiffel’s plan was chosen from more
The Eiffel Tower is the tallest
structure in Paris, France.
BRITANNICA STUDENT ENCYCLOPEDIA Eiffel Tower 115
than 100 plans, though many people
criticized the plan because nothing like
it had ever been built before.
After the fair ended, the Eiffel Tower
was almost torn down several times. But
Eiffel oversaw changes to the structure
that made it more useful. Among them
were the additions of a weather station
in 1890 and a military telegraph station
in 1903. The tower is now a popular
tourist attraction.
#More to explore
French Revolution
Einstein, Albert
Albert Einstein was one of the greatest
geniuses in the history of science. He
developed many theories, or ideas. These
theories led to new ways of thinking
about space, time, matter, energy, and
gravity.
Early Life
Albert Einstein was born to Jewish parents
in Ulm, Germany, on March 14,
1879. He did not do well in school, but
he did take an interest in mathematics
and science. While at college, he studied
physics and math. After graduating in
1900, he worked in a government office.
Meanwhile, he continued studying
physics on his own.
Scientific Breakthroughs
In 1905 Einstein caused a stir by publishing
five major research papers. These
papers forever changed the way people
thought about the universe. One of
these papers contained completely new
ideas about the properties of light. Einstein
received the Nobel prize for physics
in 1921, mainly for the work in this
paper.
In another paper, Einstein presented
what is now called the special theory of
relativity. This theory states that measurements
of space and time are relative.
That is, they change when taken by
people moving at different speeds. This
idea was entirely new. The special theory
of relativity also changed how scientists
thought about energy and matter. (Matter
is everything that takes up space.)
Later Years
When the Nazi Party took over Germany
in 1933, Einstein left the country.
He eventually settled in the United
States.
DuringWorldWar II Einstein urged the
Albert Einstein United States to build nuclear weapons.
116 Einstein, Albert BRITANNICA STUDENT ENCYCLOPEDIA
He felt that these weapons might be
needed to defeat the Nazis. The United
States did create the first atomic bomb
in 1945. Einstein, however, did not
work to develop the bomb. AfterWorld
War II he tried to prevent any future use
of atomic weapons. Einstein died in
Princeton, New Jersey, on April 18,
1955.
#More to explore
Energy • Matter • Nuclear Energy
• Physics • Time • Universe
Eisenhower,
Dwight D.
A famous general duringWorldWar II,
Dwight D. Eisenhower became the 34th
president of the United States in 1953.
Eisenhower’s two terms in office were a
time of peace and prosperity.
Early Life
Dwight David Eisenhower was born in
Denison, Texas, on October 14, 1890.
He was the third of the seven sons of
David Jacob Eisenhower and Ida Elizabeth
Stover. Dwight spent most of his
childhood in Abilene, Kansas. He graduated
from the U.S. Military Academy at
West Point, New York, in 1915. In 1916
he married Mamie Geneva Doud. They
had two sons.
Military Career
DuringWorldWar I Eisenhower commanded
a tank training center. After the
war he served in the United States, the
Panama Canal Zone, Europe, and the
Philippines. He also was an aide to General
Douglas MacArthur.
During WorldWar II Eisenhower commanded
the U.S. forces in Europe. He
also led attacks in North Africa. In
December 1943 Eisenhower became
supreme commander of the Allied
forces. He led the invasion of France on
D-Day, June 6, 1944. That year Eisenhower
gained the highest U.S. military
rank, five-star general.
After the war Eisenhower served as
Army chief of staff until 1948. In 1950
he was named the first head of the
armies of the North Atlantic Treaty
Organization.
Presidency
In 1952 Eisenhower won the Republican
Party’s presidential nomination. His
vice presidential running mate was Senator
Richard M. Nixon. In the election
Eisenhower
was called Ike
from an early
age. His presidential
campaign
slogan
was “I like
Ike.”
Dwight D. Eisenhower
BRITANNICA STUDENT ENCYCLOPEDIA Eisenhower, Dwight D. 117
that November, Eisenhower easily
defeated the Democratic candidate,
Adlai E. Stevenson.
As president, Eisenhower helped to end
the KoreanWar in 1953. He tried to
ease the problems that had developed
between the United States and the
Soviet Union since the end ofWorld
War II. He also called for lower taxes
and less government control over the
economy.
Eisenhower suffered a heart attack in
1955. He recovered quickly, though,
and decided to seek a second term. In
the 1956 election he defeated Stevenson
again.
Eisenhower now faced serious problems
