Gustaf
Eiffel (1832-1923) is not only the man behind the Eiffel Tower (1889, see
previous posts) and a large number of bridges, railway stations and other
buildings all over the world (incl. in South America, Asia, Africa…) not
forgetting the interior construction of the N.Y. Statue of Liberty (see
previous posts), but when he officially retired he concentrated on meteorology
and aerodynamics. Eiffel’s interest in meteorology and aerodynamics was of
course particularly linked to the effects of wind forces on the structures he
had built.
It is said
that especially his contribution to the science of aerodynamics is of equal
importance to his work as an engineer and architect.
He
experimented at the Eiffel Tower with a drop test machine, built a small
laboratory at the foot of the Tower in 1905, added a small wind tunnel in 1909 (used
e.g. for Wright Brothers experiments) and in 1912 built a larger laboratory and
wind tunnel in the Auteuil area of the 16th arrondissement, which is
still working and which I had the opportunity to visit.
The wind
tunnel at Auteuil is based on an open jet of air with a closed test chamber and
this system can still be seen in many later, much bigger tunnels. However, this tunnel is still used, smaller models of cars, airplanes, buildings,
towers… are tested.
Some old
measurement panels are kept, but today, of course, much more computerized
instruments are used.
Some of
Eiffel’s scientific works on meteorology and aerodynamics are exposed…
… as well
as the drop test machine he used at the Tower.
Posts
18 comments:
This was a multi-talented man. My grandfather used to tell me a lot about him because he had been, like my grand-dad (who was an engineer,) a Free Mason (the French types.) His name was not Eiffel but something not easily pronounced so the family had it formally changed from Bönickhausen to Eiffel in the 1800s I think. Did you go on the lift Eiffel built in Lisbonne, Portugal? It’s great. A nice post Peter.
I knew nothing about this -- what a remarkable ma -- the tower itself would be enough. But this i s really fascinating. Thanks for introducing us to this part of him.
And happy birthday, my friend. May it be the first of many wonderful days in your new year.
I was totally ignorant of all his achievements. What a great man!
It's a great article Peter!Well done!
Léia
Passionnants tous ces détails sur l'homme de fer. Je n'en avais aucune idée. Un peu notre Léonard de Vinci :-)
Je suis soufflé !
Voilà, voilà. Je venais de me coiffer et bien maintenant tout est déstructuré. Ah, Gustaf, si je t'attrape...
C'est lui qui tient le rôle principal dans "the Iron Man"?
J'ai encore entendu parler d'Eiffel il y a peu, à l'émission scientifique de France Inter, "la tête au carré" mais je n'ai pas tout retenu. Tu me donnes envie d'écouter le postcast pour savoir en quoi cela recoupe tout ce que tu dis ici et qui est fort intéressant et complet.
http://www.franceinter.fr/emission-la-tete-au-carre-aux-origines-de-la-medecine-et-gustave-eiffel-rediffusion
What a brilliant and creative man! This was a fascinating post, Peter. Thank you!!!
Is it your birthday??? I wish you a wonderful and happy birthday, and all the best in the coming year!!!
BIG HUG!!!!
What a fascinating post, Peter! Such cutting edge work at the turn of the century. Thank you for educating us.
And happy birthday?!! x Katie
I knew he was quite prolific and was well known as an engineer and architect but I didn't know about the wind tunnel.
I had no idea! How fascinating!
Un autre talent de MR Eiffel que je ne connaissais pas et pourtant la soufflerie me dit quelque chose. Un reportage à la télé peut-être.
Comme quoi, quand on est à la retraite, on n'a pas le cerveau lent mais le cerveau qui "bouille".
Je suis toujours impressionnée chaque fois que je vois le viaduc de Garabit.
Sorry , I'm two days late...Wish you a belated very happy birthday Peter. I hope you had a good one!
(((HUGS)))
What a brilliant mind!
I'm speechless...
Maria
We have a lot to thank him for. I"m reading Eiffel's Tower right now!
V
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