Early in 1891 a group of civic leaders met in Chicago discussed plans for the upcoming World’s Columbia Exposition. At the meetings plans were discussed for different attractions at the exposition. A major theme of the Exposition was to demonstrate new sciences and technology emerging from the USA at that time. Something distinctive was needed that would demonstrate the United States as a technological leader. The foremost symbol of engineering accomplishments at that time was the Eiffel Tower in Paris, just completed in 1898. Their challenge was to create something that would surpass the Eiffel Tower and position the United States as a world-class leader.