The weather in Barcelona is 65438+February

"I'm a little jealous of this tower. She is more famous than me now. " Gustave eiffel once said. He's right. When this landmark building is about to celebrate133rd birthday, perhaps not many people remember engineer gustave eiffel. As the father of the Eiffel Tower, his life has been ups and downs, and his architectural works are all over the world.

1832, Eiffel was born in Dijon, Burgundy, France. His father is a soldier and his mother is the daughter of a timber merchant. 1855, Eiffel graduated from Paris Central Academy of Arts and Crafts, majoring in metallurgy. The next year, bainite steelmaking was invented, and people used compressed air to make high-strength, light-weight and plastic steel, which was quickly applied to building frames such as bridges. At this time, Eiffel's talent in materials science and architecture was gradually revealed, and Charlie Napway, a leading figure in the field of metal structure architecture, recommended him to work for the Western Railway Company. There, Eiffel designed and completed his first work-a small steel bridge on the Saint-Germain Railway. Since then, he has taken orders to build steel bridges all over the country, expanding his professional influence, and at the same time innovating technology and improving steel properties.

At the age of 26, Eiffel presided over the first major project in his life-the Bordeaux Railway Bridge. This bridge with a span of 5 10 meters is technically quite difficult, and the success of the project greatly inspired his confidence. Eiffel decided to set up his own company. He opened the door to innovation and suggestions, attracted a group of excellent engineers, and his career was booming. 1886, the Statue of Liberty presented by France to the United States was completed in new york, and the steel structure was designed and built by his company. The observatory in Nice, France, the Fashion Museum in Paris and the West Station in Budapest, Hungary were also created by Eiffel.

Steel is the symbol of industrial revolution in europe. At the end of France 19, various bridges, railways and buildings made of steel rushed to appear in various regions. At this time, an iron tower of more than 300 meters is about to play the strongest sound of this steel March. In order to welcome the 1889 Paris World Expo, the French government decided to build a tall tower. The auction started at 1886, and more than 100 design drafts participated in the competition, including many ingenious designs, and even a granite lighthouse that can illuminate the whole Paris. It is no accident that Eiffel's scheme can successfully bid. In addition to steel becoming a fashion in Europe in the19th century, his accumulated professional reputation and skillful business operation ability are important factors.

For Eiffel, bidding for the Paris World Expo will not only make him famous, but also realize the dream of thousands of architects in Qian Qian for centuries. In fact, the Eiffel team had previously submitted this design to the municipal government of Barcelona, Spain, but it was not adopted because of the high budget. In order to avoid repeating the same mistakes, he invested a lot of energy in media promotion and government relations, and was supported by Edward Lockroy, Minister of Commerce and Chief Curator of the Expo. More importantly, Eiffel is willing to personally invest 80% of this project, which is about 8.5 million gold francs. At the time of selection, his plan was unanimously adopted.

It took only two years and two months for the Eiffel Tower to be completed in 1887 and officially opened to the public in 1889. However, this process is by no means smooth sailing. The voice of criticism is constant. The media did not give up the opportunity of sarcasm, and sensational words emerged one after another. None of this has shaken Eiffel's determination. After all the parts are made, they will be assembled in Ares Square. Eiffel watched the scene day and night, and nothing could stop the progress of the project. Paris citizens are puzzled and excited at the rate of 12 meters per month.

1889 March 3 1, tower completed. On May 15, the tower was officially opened to the public and immediately attracted great attention. What dazzles people is not only the height of the tower, but also four ultra-high-speed hydraulic elevators in all directions. By the end of the World Expo that year, the Eiffel Tower had received more than 2 million tourists. Because of its shape, it is also called "Mrs. Steel". Eiffel has the right to use the tower for 20 years because of its investment. In 20 years, the tower will be owned by the Paris municipal government.

Whether as an engineer or an entrepreneur, 1889 is the pinnacle of Eiffel's career. However, no one expected that only four years later, his career was hit hard by the bribery scandal of the Panama Canal Project. Eiffel's company is responsible for the design and construction of sluice. Although he did not participate in bribery, he was also implicated, which caused irreparable negative effects.

Eiffel decided to quit the company and stay away from construction projects for the rest of his life. In the last 30 years of his life, he devoted all his energy to the practical application of the Eiffel Tower in scientific research. He knows that only by making this tower serve scientific research can it stand in the center of Paris for a long time. It is also his research results that make this tower an important symbol of France today.

Eiffel has given this tower a brand-new orientation: weather and astronomical observation station, wind research station, physical experiment station, strategic observation station, telecommunication receiving station and electric lighting tower. Since its establishment, the tower has installed many scientific research equipment and witnessed many "firsts" in the history of science. 1898, Eugene Duckling realized the first wireless transmission between the iron tower and the Pantheon. Since then, the wireless signal transmission of the tower has been extended to the military field. During the Battle of the Marne River in World War I, the radio platform of the tower was informed that the Germans intended to stop attacking because of problems in the right-wing supply. The French commander deployed according to this important information and won a key victory. In addition, the radio station has repeatedly deciphered enemy telegrams disguised as commercial telegrams.

Later, the Eiffel Tower was applied to the signal transmission of radio and television. With the installation of TV antenna, the final height of this tower is 324 meters. It has witnessed almost all major events in France, such as the New Year fireworks show, the New Year concert and large-scale sports events ... Every night, the flashing lights of the tower will break into starlight in the microwave of the Seine River, soothing the Parisians who walk at night.

1923 65438+On February 27th, Eiffel passed away. The Eiffel Tower finally became a steel landmark in Paris as he wished.

People's Daily (March 20, 2022, 07 edition)