Gustave Eiffel Quotes & Sayings

I ought to be jealous of the tower. She is more famous than I am. — Gustave Eiffel

The French flag is the only one to have a staff a thousand feet tall. — Gustave Eiffel

The first principle of architectural beauty is that the essential lines of a construction be determined by a perfect appropriateness to its use. — Gustave Eiffel

It seems to me that it had no other rationale than to show that we are not simply the country of entertainers, but also that of engineers and builders called from across the world to build bridges, viaducts, stations and major monuments of modern industry, the Eiffel Tower deserves to be treated with consideration. — Gustave Eiffel

The fundamental idea of these pylons, or great archways, is based on a method of construction peculiar to me, of which the principle consists in giving to the edges of the pyramid a curve of such a nature that this pyramid shall be capable of resisting the force of the wind without necessitating the junction of the edges by diagonals as is usually done. — Gustave Eiffel

Can one think that because we are engineers, beauty does not preoccupy us or that we do not try to build beautiful, as well as solid and long lasting structures? Aren't the genuine functions of strength always in keeping with unwritten conditions of harmony? ... Besides, there is an attraction, a special charm in the colossal to which ordinary theories of art do not apply. — Gustave Eiffel

There is an attraction and a charm inherent in the colossal that is not subject to ordinary theories of art ... The tower will be the tallest edifice ever raised by man. Will it therefore be imposing in its own way? — Gustave Eiffel