LS in French, signed “G. Eiffel,” two pages, lightly-lined on two adjoining sheets, 8 x 10.25, January 21, 1904, to the President of the Scientific Commission of the Aero-Club. In part (translated): “I have submitted a preliminary proposal for an airport at the Eiffel Tower to the Scientific Aerostation Commission of the Aéro Club…an airport intended to be without danger for aviators and aviation experiments and more generally for heavier than air devices. This preliminary draft, summarily described in the December 1903 issue of ‘The Aérophile’ was favorably received by the Commission and I was invited to present a definite project. I studied this project together with Mr. J. Richard, successor to Mr. Mouraille, the well-known constructor of numerous air transport projects…and I’ve just submitted it to the Commission. The dossier I’ve placed in their hands includes the definitive drawings, a supporting statement with supporting calculations, and finally, a cost-estimate, all drawn up by Mr. J. Richard.
I am entirely prepared, with the authorization of my colleagues in the Eiffel Tower Society, to place the Tower at the service of this construction and furthermore, in my own personal capacity, to assume all the costs estimated at the sum of 16.665 francs according to the estimate herewith included. But before the implementation of the project, I ask that it be submitted to the Committee of the Aéro-Club…this Commission alone will decide on the type of aircraft that can be used in the experiments and will determine the manner in which the experiments are to be made…Furthermore I Wish the Committee of the Aero-Club…to make a special inquiry concerning the chances for success of the aircraft that will be used in these experiments…Before starting construction and committing such large sums of money it is important that one should be completely assured that the project will immediately provide significant services…I therefore ask you Mr. President to be so kind as to transmit…these propositions to the Committee of the Aero Club…Please communicate their answer to me.” In fine condition.
After his retirement from the Compagnie des Etablissements Eiffel, Gustave Eiffel focused his attention on his lifelong passion of aerodynamics, investigating the effect of wind forces and air resistance on both stable and moving structures, using his Tower as the site of numerous experiments. As the hype surrounding advances in aviation dominated the headlines—with the Wright Brothers making the first controlled, powered and sustained heavier-than-air human flight in December of 1903—Eiffel attempted to draw even greater attention to the Tower, proposing its use in the design of a new airport. Using a cable that would run from a pylon in the ground to the first floor of the Eiffel Tower, an airplane could be lifted to the first floor, enabling it to build enough speed to take off when it was lowered. Despite some interest from the Club, the proposal proved to come too soon (similar experiments would be done two years later by Ferdinand Ferber), and never took shape. A lengthy and fascinating letter attempting to turn the famous Tower into an aviation landmark at the height of public interest in the field. Pre-certified PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.
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