Alexandre Gustave Eiffel, born Bonickhausen dit Eiffel; (15 December 1832 – 27 December 1923), was a renowned French civil engineer. He gained recognition through his work on various bridges for the French railway system, notably the iconic Garabit Viaduct. Eiffel's most famous achievements include the world-renowned Eiffel Tower, designed by his firm for the 1889 Universal Exposition in Paris, and his significant role in constructing the Statue of Liberty in New York. Following his engineering career, Eiffel shifted his focus to research in meteorology and aerodynamics, making notable contributions in both fields. Alexandre Gustave Eiffel, a French civil engineer, faced early career challenges, including a family dispute preventing his entry into his uncle's workshop and unpaid work. Charles Nepveu, a railway engineer, hired him as a private secretary. Eiffel contributed to various railway projects and joined the Compagnie Belge de Matériels de Chemin de Fer. He managed the construction of a groundbreaking iron girder bridge over the Garonne River using innovative techniques. Eiffel's reputation grew, and he designed structures like viaducts, bridges, and railway stations. His innovative standardized prefabricated bridges revolutionized construction methods. In collaboration with Auguste Bartholdi, he engineered the Statue of Liberty, creating a structure supporting copper sheeting. Eiffel gained international recognition through the Eiffel Tower, a centerpiece for the 1889 Exposition Universelle. His structural design and meticulous engineering skills were evident in the tower's construction. He continued work in meteorology and aerodynamics, conducting experiments at his laboratories and wind tunnels. Eiffel's involvement in the Panama Canal project resulted in legal complications, but he remained dedicated to engineering and innovation. He died in 1923, leaving behind a legacy of monumental structures and pioneering contributions to engineering, aerodynamics, and meteorology.

Gustave Eiffel - Wikipedia