How Gustave Eiffel’s Statue of Liberty contribution cemented France-US relations
The Statue of Liberty, an enduring symbol of freedom and democracy, stands in New York Harbor on Liberty Island off the coast of Manhattan. Beyond its iconic exterior, the statue's infrastructure is a monument of engineering and innovation and was designed by Gustave Eiffel and his company on the outskirts of Paris in the 1880s.
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France gifted the statue to the United States to commemorate the centennial of the American Declaration of Independence and to cement the deep relationship between the two countries.
Eiffel’s role
Eiffel (born on 15 December 1832 in Dijon, France) however, was the second designer of the internal structural elements of the Statue of Liberty.
When the Statue of Liberty's initial internal designer, Eugène Viollet-le-Duc, unexpectedly passed away in 1879, the Franco-American Union and the statue’s designer, Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi, hired Eiffel as his replacement.
While Eiffel praised and retained much of Viollet-le-Duc's plans for the sculpting and connection of the copper sheets (he would use Viollet-le-Duc's repoussé technique and armature bars), he changed the initial plans for the interior design in favour of a modern approach. The Statue's new internal structure would not rely on weight to support the copper skin but rather a flexible, skeletal system.
Building the Statue
The entire infrastructure is designed around a central pylon of 28 metres to be the primary support structure of the Statue's interior. It also serves as the central attachment point for a lightweight truss work of complex asymmetrical girders which forms the Statue's body.
It was completed and assembled in Paris between 1881 and 1884 although the concept was nearly 20 years older than that, while its construction began in 1876.
After the Statue was presented to Levi P Morton, US minister to France, on July 4, 1884, in Paris, it was disassembled and shipped to the United States aboard the French Navy ship, Isère, arriving in New York Harbor on June 17, 1885.
However, construction of the pedestal did not start in New York on what was known at the time as Bedloe’s Island - now known as Liberty Island - until 1884, and did not finish until 1886.
The result is that the Statue, officially known as "Liberty Enlightening the World” was only formally unveiled on 28 October 1886, ten years late for the centenary of American independence.
Although Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi designed the statue itself, Bartholdi collaborated with Eiffel for the design of the intricate iron framework that supports the statue's copper exterior.
Bartholdi envisioned a large-scale statue, while Eiffel's expertise in designing iron structures made him a natural choice for the project. Eiffel designed a robust internal framework using iron and steel that would provide structural support for the outer skin.
Eiffel’s concept for the infrastructure of the Statue of Liberty is based on engineering principles that ensure the stability, durability, and aesthetic integrity of the monument. There were seven key principles in the design of the infrastructure including:
1. Structural Stability
The internal framework designed by Eiffel provides essential structural stability. The framework is made of iron and steel, and it supports the copper exterior. This framework ensures that the statue can withstand the elements, including wind loads and its own weight, without compromising its structural integrity.
2. Material Selection
The choice of materials is crucial for the statue's longevity and appearance. The copper sheets that form the outer skin of the statue were selected for their corrosion resistance and malleability. Eiffel’s choice iron and steel used in the internal framework provides that strength and support. Eiffel chose those materials to withstand the environmental conditions of the site, including exposure to saltwater.
3. Load Distribution
Eiffel also designed the infrastructure to distribute the loads evenly across the various components of the statue. This ensures that the weight is properly supported, preventing any localized stress that could lead to deformation or failure.
4. Foundations
The statue stands on a pedestal, which, in turn, is anchored to the bedrock of Liberty Island.
5. Assembling and Disassembling
As the statue was to built in France, Eiffel designed it to be assembled and disassembled easily. This facilitated its construction in France, where the components were fabricated, and their transportation to the United States. The ability to break down the statue into manageable sections allowed for efficient shipping and reassembly on site.
6. Weather Resistance
The materials chosen for the statue were selected not only for their structural properties but also for their ability to resist weather. The copper exterior develops a protective patina over time, which helps shield it from corrosion caused by exposure to the elements.
7. Symbolism
The design principles of the statue also include the incorporation of symbolic elements, such as the torch symbolizing enlightenment and the broken chains at the feet representing freedom from oppression. These elements contribute to the overall meaning and message of the monument.
The statue's significance extends beyond the United States and France. It has become a universal symbol of hope, freedom, and the pursuit of a better life for people around the world. This year, on the centenary of his death, RFI English visited the Statue to see what Eiffel’s infrastructure, much of which still survives, looks like.
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