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| Sunday, January 8, 2000 |
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THE massive wrought-iron skeleton tower on the Champ de Mars in Paris is the creation of Eiffel Alexander Gustave. He designed it for World Fair of 1889, and it was adjudged the best entry in the competition that sought designs of monuments for the fair. The gigantic structure rises 300 metres from a base which is 101 metres square. The tower, with stairs leading to the top, has restaurants, a weather station and also space for conducting experiments. Since 1953, it is being used to transmit television programmes. But this is not the only masterpiece created by Eiffel. He also designed bridges of great importance. His other designs include the design of the iron framework for the Statue of Liberty in New York. |
 Gustave
was born in a prosperous family in Dijon in 1832. His
father was a cavalry officer and had served under
Napoleon. He made grand plans but did not make the effort
to implement them. His mother was a very hard working and
shrewd business woman. She ran a successful coal and wood
business and was of great financial support to Gustave
also, especially when he took up ventures which he
couldn’t afford. From his father, Gustave learned to
dream, and from his mother, he learned the hard facts of
business, thus making most of his dreams come true.After schooling, Gustave failed in his examinations for entrance to a noted French engineering school. He finally graduated from the Central School of Engineering in Paris. Then he worked for a railway construction company. In the 1850s, Europe’s railways began to expand rapidly. Gustave’s company was given a contract to construct a 1600-foot bridge across the Garonne river at Bordeaux. Eiffel made his design and gave the blueprint to his superiors. Although the plan broke all conventional rules, it was accurate and precise. The company accepted the plan, but envious engineers waited for the implementation to go awry. Much to their amazement and disappointment, the Garonne Bridge was built in half the time and half the cost of a conventional bridge. This success gave an impetus to Gustave’s confidence and enthusiasm. He designed the framework of girders and braces to support the magnificent Statue of Liberty, the 150-foot high copper structure. Gustave Eiffel’s Maria-Pia bridge was yet another revolution in bridge designs. It was a challenge because it was to be constructed across the rushing Douro river. The bridge had to be 200 feet high with a 500 feet span. It seemed impossible, but Gustave was determined. He gave a low bid, and decided to hang the bridge. In place of the expensive wood scaffolding, he used steel cables anchored to pylons. It might be common now but it caused a sensation then. He then designed numerous bridges in Russia, Egypt and Peru. He even designed factories, stations and other structures of unusual sizes. Engineers all over Europe copied him, but Gustave did not mind as he had gained fame and was always looking forward to doing something new. In January 1887, Gustave began the construction of the Eiffel Tower with 250 men working on it. Initially there was a lot of resentment from many artists and writers. They thought it would turn out to be an ugly piece of work. But in March 1889, when it was completed, a cannon boomed a twenty one-gun salute, as Gustave Eiffel hoisted the French flag to the top of the tower. By May 1889, almost two million people had visited the Tower. In 1894, Gustave retired from business but continued to lead a very active life. He carried out experiment in aerodynamics. His findings made it possible for engineers to calculate the wind resistance of a building and, therefore, to construct it with a minimum amount of steel. Gustave enjoyed his family life and doted on his children and grandchildren. Even at the age of 80, he raced around in a motor car. When his family protested, he said: "One is young only once!" At the age of 91 years, in December 1923, Gustave Eiffel died, leaving behind the towering monument that bears his name. |
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