Engineering · France · 1832–1923
Gustave Eiffel Life & Career Timeline
Iron bridges, a statue’s hidden skeleton and the tower that remade a skyline.
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GEGustave EiffelEngineering · France
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About Gustave Eiffel
Gustave Eiffel built lightweight metal structures at unprecedented scale and later turned his landmark tower into a scientific laboratory.
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Gustave Eiffel biography
Gustave Eiffel timeline: key events
Explore 18 documented Moments in chronological order. Read the dates, locations and source references below. Where available, additional context explains why a milestone matters.
Born in Dijon
Alexandre Gustave Bonickhausen dit Eiffel was born in Burgundy.
Source: www.toureiffel.parisÉcole Centrale des Arts et Manufactures
Eiffel trained as a chemical engineer before specialising in metal structures.
Source: www.toureiffel.parisRailway engineering begins
He joined Charles Nepveu and learned bridge construction.
Source: www.toureiffel.parisBordeaux railway bridge
Eiffel supervised a major iron bridge across the Garonne.
Source: www.toureiffel.parisEstablishes own company
His workshops specialised in economical prefabricated metal structures.
Source: www.toureiffel.parisMaria Pia Bridge
A dramatic iron arch over the Douro established Eiffel internationally.
Source: www.toureiffel.parisParis Exposition structures
Eiffel’s company contributed ironwork to the international exhibition.
Source: www.toureiffel.parisGarabit Viaduct contract
The great railway arch pushed metal engineering to a new scale.
Source: www.toureiffel.parisStatue of Liberty framework
Eiffel designed the internal iron support for Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi’s statue.
Source: www.toureiffel.parisTower proposal develops
Maurice Koechlin and Émile Nouguier developed the initial tower concept within Eiffel’s company.
Source: www.toureiffel.parisEiffel Tower construction begins
Foundations began for the 300-metre centrepiece of the 1889 Exposition.
Source: www.toureiffel.parisEiffel Tower completed
Eiffel climbed the tower and raised the French flag before its public opening.
Source: www.toureiffel.parisWorld’s tallest structure
The tower surpassed the Washington Monument and held the record for four decades.
Source: www.toureiffel.parisScientific uses of the tower
Eiffel promoted meteorology, radio and experimental science to secure the tower’s future.
Source: www.toureiffel.parisPanama scandal conviction
Eiffel was convicted over work for the failed canal company; the judgment was later annulled.
Source: www.toureiffel.parisAerodynamic laboratory
He built a wind tunnel and advanced experimental study of air resistance.
Source: www.toureiffel.parisAuteuil wind tunnel
A larger laboratory supported aviation and engineering research.
Source: www.toureiffel.parisDies in Paris
Eiffel died aged 91, with his tower established as a global landmark.
Source: www.toureiffel.parisThis educational timeline is not endorsed by or affiliated with Gustave Eiffel or their representatives. Event text is original editorial copy based on the linked sources.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons contributor · Licence shown on source file
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About the Gustave Eiffel timeline
Who is Gustave Eiffel?
Gustave Eiffel built lightweight metal structures at unprecedented scale and later turned his landmark tower into a scientific laboratory.
How many moments are included?
This public timeline currently contains 18 sourced moments spanning 1832–1923.
Who maintains this timeline?
This public timeline is created and maintained by Memmie Editorial Team. Schools, clubs and cultural organisations can apply to become timeline partners.
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