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Died Age: 91

source: wikipedia.org

Gustave Eiffel

Birthday:

15 Dec, 1832

Date of Death:

27 Dec, 1923

Cause of death:

Cerebral hemorrhage

Nationality:

French

Famous As:

Engineer

Age at the time of death:

Gustave Eiffel, a celebrated French architect and civil engineer, is known for creating some of the world’s most iconic structures. His most famous work, the Eiffel Tower, was completed in 1889 and became a global symbol of innovation and design. He also contributed to the internal framework of the Statue of Liberty.

Early Life and Education

Gustave Eiffel was born in Dijon, France, in 1832. He pursued his education at the prestigious École Centrale des Arts et Manufactures in Paris, graduating in 1855. Eiffel began his career as a railway engineer, specializing in bridge and viaduct construction.

Initial Engineering Projects

Eiffel gained recognition as a talented engineer through various railway projects, where he constructed bridges and iron structures across France. His early work laid the foundation for his future endeavors in large-scale construction and civil engineering.

Contribution to the Suez Canal and Panama Canal Projects

Eiffel’s expertise extended to international projects, including his involvement in Egypt’s Suez Canal, where he designed a hydraulic lock system to assist ships in navigating the canal. He also participated in the Panama Canal project, although he withdrew due to mismanagement and corruption scandals that led to its failure.

The Construction of the Eiffel Tower

The pinnacle of Gustave Eiffel’s career was the construction of the Eiffel Tower for the 1889 World’s Fair in Paris. At 300 meters tall, it was the tallest structure in the world at the time and became a symbol of Paris and France. Despite initial criticism from artists and intellectuals who deemed it an eyesore, the tower quickly gained popularity and became an iconic global landmark.

Gustave Eiffel's Quote's

“The French flag is the only one to have a staff a thousand feet tall.”
“The first principle of architectural beauty is that the essential lines of a construction be determined by a perfect appropriateness to its use.”
“There is an attraction and a charm inherent in the colossal that is not subject to ordinary theories of art ... The tower will be the tallest edifice ever raised by man. Will it therefore be imposing in its own way?”
“Being the most striking manifestation of the art of metal structures by which our engineers have shown in Europe, it [the Eiffel Tower] is one of the most striking of our modern national genius.”
“I ought to be jealous of the tower. She is more famous than I am.”

Scientific Endeavors and Later Years

Following the success of the Eiffel Tower, Eiffel shifted his focus to scientific research. He built a wind tunnel at the tower’s base to study aerodynamics and conducted various experiments. His interest in scientific innovation continued throughout his later years.

Legacy and Death

Gustave Eiffel passed away in 1923 at the age of 91, leaving behind a legacy of engineering brilliance and visionary architectural design. His contributions, particularly the Eiffel Tower, continue to inspire engineers and architects worldwide.

After constructing the Eiffel Tower, Gustave Eiffel turned his attention to other scientific endeavors and even constructed a wind tunnel at the base of the tower to conduct research. Eiffel died in 1923 at the age of 91 leaving behind a legacy of engineering excellence and artistic vision.

Profile Snapshot

Name:

Gustave Eiffel

Popular Name:

Gustave Eiffel

Gender:

Male

Cause of Death:

Cerebral hemorrhage

Spouse:

Marie Gaudelet (1862–1877)

Place of Birth:

Dijon, Burgundy, France

Place of Death:

Paris, France

Occupation / Profession:

Engineer

Gustave Eiffel's Interesting Facts

Eiffel built the first aerodynamic laboratory at the base of the Eiffel Tower and later moved it to the outskirts of Paris, where his work influenced early aviators like the Wright Brothers

After retiring from engineering following a financial scandal related to the Panama Canal project, Eiffel devoted the last 30 years of his life to scientific research, particularly in meteorology and aerodynamics

Despite being best known for the Eiffel Tower, he built hundreds of other metal structures worldwide, including bridges, viaducts, and railway stations

Eiffel designed the internal structure of the Statue of Liberty, creating a new support system that relied on a skeletal structure instead of weight to support the copper skin

Achievements & Awards