Bring back some good or bad memories


ADVERTISEMENT

September 12, 2016

Cycling Down the Eiffel Tower, 1923

Downhill is one of the most popular cycling disciplines these days, but it wasn’t always so. And it’s no wonder why. With the ridged steel frame and not very good brakes, going down the hill at insane speeds doesn’t sound like much of a good idea. But there is always at least one human who likes to push the limits no matter what the consequences. These photographs of a man cycling down the Eiffel Tower were taken in 1923.



In 1923, as France was recovering from the first World War, journalist Pierre Labric decided to ride a bicycle down the stairs from Level 1 of the Eiffel Tower (there are three levels).

The Eiffel tower is 324 metres in height and was built in 1889 and was named after its engineer Gustave Eiffel who’s company built the tower. The Eiffel Tower is a global icon and one of the most recognisable structures in the world.


The reasons for performing the stunt aren’t known but it is possible that it may have been a publicity stunt for the newspaper he wrote for, the Petit Parisien. It wasn’t Pierre’s first stunt. In 1921 he was allegedly the first French journalist to make a parachute jump, an event which took place at the airfield at Villacoublay Air Base.

1 comment:




FOLLOW US:
FacebookTumblrPinterestInstagram

CONTACT US

Browse by Decades

Popular Posts

Advertisement

09 10