<strong>Watkin's Folly: </strong>In 1890s London, British politician and railway tycoon Edward Watkin had a vision to build a gigantic structure that would eclipse the Eiffel Tower. It would stand 1,200 feet above the northwestern suburb of Wembley.
Watkin's Folly: In 1890s London, British politician and railway tycoon Edward Watkin had a vision to build a gigantic structure that would eclipse the Eiffel Tower. It would stand 1,200 feet above the northwestern suburb of Wembley.
Alamy
<strong>Railway to the sky: </strong>Watkins held a contest to design the tower, offering a prize equivalent to $80,000 in today's money. One proposal had a train running up a spiraling railway on the outside of a 2,000-foot-tall tower.
Railway to the sky: Watkins held a contest to design the tower, offering a prize equivalent to $80,000 in today's money. One proposal had a train running up a spiraling railway on the outside of a 2,000-foot-tall tower.
The Public Domain Review
<strong>Pyramid power: </strong>Another unrealistic proposal had a 1:12 scale replica of the Great Pyramid of Giza on its summit.<br />
Pyramid power: Another unrealistic proposal had a 1:12 scale replica of the Great Pyramid of Giza on its summit.
The Public Domain Review
<strong>The winner:</strong> Designed by London architects Stewart, McLaren and Dunn, the winning proposal was similar in structure to the Eiffel Tower, albeit more slender.
The winner: Designed by London architects Stewart, McLaren and Dunn, the winning proposal was similar in structure to the Eiffel Tower, albeit more slender.
The Public Domain Review
<strong>First leg: </strong>Construction began in 1892, and the first stage -- approximately 150 feet tall -- was finished three years later.
First leg: Construction began in 1892, and the first stage -- approximately 150 feet tall -- was finished three years later.
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<strong>Opened to the public: </strong>Once completed and fitted with elevators, the first stage was opened to the public, but there was something wrong with it.
Opened to the public: Once completed and fitted with elevators, the first stage was opened to the public, but there was something wrong with it.
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<strong>Sinking feeling: </strong>It transpired that the tower was starting to subside and any attempts to built it higher, adding to its weight, could have been disastrous.
Sinking feeling: It transpired that the tower was starting to subside and any attempts to built it higher, adding to its weight, could have been disastrous.
Alamy
<strong>Shut down: </strong>When Watkins died in 1901, so did his grand vision. A year later the tower was declared unsafe and closed down. England's national football and rugby stadium now stands on the same spot.
Shut down: When Watkins died in 1901, so did his grand vision. A year later the tower was declared unsafe and closed down. England's national football and rugby stadium now stands on the same spot.
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