22.4.13

When Gustaf Eiffel retired...



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. 


18 comments:

Vagabonde said...

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.

Jeanie said...

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.

Indrani said...

I was totally ignorant of all his achievements. What a great man!

Cezar and Léia said...

It's a great article Peter!Well done!
Léia

Thérèse said...

Passionnants tous ces détails sur l'homme de fer. Je n'en avais aucune idée. Un peu notre Léonard de Vinci :-)

Alain said...

Je suis soufflé !

Dédé said...

Voilà, voilà. Je venais de me coiffer et bien maintenant tout est déstructuré. Ah, Gustaf, si je t'attrape...

Dédé said...

C'est lui qui tient le rôle principal dans "the Iron Man"?

Cergie said...

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

Studio at the Farm said...

What a brilliant and creative man! This was a fascinating post, Peter. Thank you!!!

Studio at the Farm said...

Is it your birthday??? I wish you a wonderful and happy birthday, and all the best in the coming year!!!
BIG HUG!!!!

french cravings said...

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

Starman said...

I knew he was quite prolific and was well known as an engineer and architect but I didn't know about the wind tunnel.

Synne said...

I had no idea! How fascinating!

claude said...

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.

Mona said...

Sorry , I'm two days late...Wish you a belated very happy birthday Peter. I hope you had a good one!

(((HUGS)))

Anonymous said...

What a brilliant mind!
I'm speechless...
Maria

Virginia said...

We have a lot to thank him for. I"m reading Eiffel's Tower right now!
V