<P> In 1982, the original lifts between the second and third levels were replaced after 97 years in service . These had been closed to the public between November and March because the water in the hydraulic drive tended to freeze . The new cars operate in pairs, with one counterbalancing the other, and perform the journey in one stage, reducing the journey time from eight minutes to less than two minutes . At the same time, two new emergency staircases were installed, replacing the original spiral staircases . In 1983, the south pillar was fitted with an electrically driven Otis lift to serve the Jules Verne restaurant . The Fives - Lille lifts in the east and west legs, fitted in 1899, were extensively refurbished in 1986 . The cars were replaced, and a computer system was installed to completely automate the lifts . The motive power was moved from the water hydraulic system to a new electrically driven oil - filled hydraulic system, and the original water hydraulics were retained solely as a counterbalance system . A service lift was added to the south pillar for moving small loads and maintenance personnel three years later . </P> <P> Robert Moriarty flew a Beechcraft Bonanza under the tower on 31 March 1984 . In 1987, A.J. Hackett made one of his first bungee jumps from the top of the Eiffel Tower, using a special cord he had helped develop . Hackett was arrested by the police . On 27 October 1991, Thierry Devaux, along with mountain guide Hervé Calvayrac, performed a series of acrobatic figures while bungee jumping from the second floor of the tower . Facing the Champ de Mars, Devaux used an electric winch between figures to go back up to the second floor . When firemen arrived, he stopped after the sixth jump . </P> <P> For its "Countdown to the Year 2000" celebration on 31 December 1999, flashing lights and high - powered searchlights were installed on the tower . Fireworks were set off all over it . An exhibition above a cafeteria on the first floor commemorates this event . The searchlights on top of the tower made it a beacon in Paris's night sky, and 20,000 flashing bulbs gave the tower a sparkly appearance for five minutes every hour on the hour . </P> <P> The lights sparkled blue for several nights to herald the new millennium On 31 December 2000 . The sparkly lighting continued for 18 months until July 2001 . The sparkling lights were turned on again on 21 June 2003, and the display was planned to last for 10 years before they needed replacing . </P>

When did they start lighting up the eiffel tower
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