Talks
Speakers
Events
Topics
Sign in
Home
Talks
Speakers
Events
Topics
Leaderboard
Use
Analytics
Sign in
Suggest modification to this talk
Title
Description
RubyConf 2018 - Eiffel's Tower by Nickolas Means When Gustave Eiffel built his namesake tower, it was nearly twice as tall as the tallest structure on Earth. His crews built it in an astounding 22 months, pioneering new construction techniques to deliver it in time for the opening of the 1889 Exposition Universelle. It was amazing then, and it’s just as captivating today. We all say we want to do groundbreaking work, but what does it actually take to push an organization forward? The answer starts long before the work itself. Let’s see what we can learn from how Gustave Eiffel went about building his record-shattering tower.
Date
Summarized using AI?
If this talk's summary was generated by AI, please check this box. A "Summarized using AI" badge will be displayed in the summary tab to indicate that the summary was generated using AI.
Show "Summarized using AI" badge on summary page
Summary
Markdown supported
In his presentation titled 'Eiffel's Tower' at RubyConf 2018, Nickolas Means explores the historical and engineering significance of the Eiffel Tower, highlighting how it was a product of its time and a reflection of ambition and innovation. He connects the story of Gustave Eiffel's monumental achievement with the broader themes of resilience, engineering leadership, and organizational progress. **Key Points Discussed:** - **Historical Context:** The Eiffel Tower was built amid the recovery of France after the Franco-Prussian War, a time when the nation sought to restore its pride and showcase its resurgence through the 1889 Exposition Universelle. - **Engineering Breakthrough:** Gustave Eiffel’s team employed revolutionary construction techniques that allowed them to complete the tower in just 22 months, setting a height record that was unapproachable with the technology of the time. - **Public Reception vs. Criticism:** Initially, the tower faced significant opposition from prominent figures in art and politics, who deemed it aesthetically unpleasing and contrary to French artistry. Eiffel's project was seen as a stark contrast to the classical structures of Paris. - **Advocacy and Defense:** Eiffel took proactive steps to advocate for his design by engaging with critics and presenting technical justifications to various engineer societies, effectively turning the tide of public opinion. - **The Collaborative Design Process:** The involvement of structural engineers Koechlin and Nouguier, along with architect Sauvestre, illustrated a successful collaborative effort in designing a structure that was not only tall but functional and serving scientific purposes. - **Legacy:** The Eiffel Tower, once considered an eyesore, has become a beloved icon of Paris and a symbol of architectural innovation and perseverance. **Conclusions:** Means underscores the importance of fostering creativity within organizations, demonstrating through Eiffel's journey that ambitious and groundbreaking work requires early vision, resilience in the face of criticism, and effective collaboration. The example of the Eiffel Tower serves as an inspiration for pursuing remarkable achievements, highlighting that initial resistance can often lead to enduring legacies.
Suggest modifications
Cancel
