The Centennial Exposition Committee, led by Édouard Lockroy (the French minister of commerce and industry), wanted to emphasize the idea of technological and economic progress, rather than the actual French Revolution, to make the exposition appeal to more countries that would participate. It took three years for the government to finalize its plans. At last, in 1886, the Exposition Committee set out to find the appropriate symbol for the great event, with a budget of about $ 8.5 million. Édouard Lockroy proposed the construction of a thousand-foot tower as a fitting emblem for the exposition.
In May of 1886, the French government, in correlation with the exposition committee, invited all French architects and engineers to submit designs for buildings and other attractions for the exposition. It was clear that the committee wished for a tower, however, other designers were still considered. The deadline was set for May 18, for three days the projects would be on public display, and then the committee would make its final decision. Some designs were dull while others were just absurd. The winner of the competition came as close as possible to what Lockroy had envisioned. Gustave Eiffel and his iron tower had won the competition and the eight hundred dollar prize.