Marc Seguin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Marc Seguin
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Marc Seguin
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| Born | 20 April 1786 |
| Died | 24 February 1875 (aged 88) |
| Nationality | French |
| Known for | suspension bridge |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Inventor, Engineer |
Marc Seguin (born April 20, 1786 – died February 24, 1875) was a clever French engineer and inventor. He is famous for inventing the wire-cable suspension bridge. He also created a special type of boiler for steam engines.
Contents
Early Life and Family
Marc Seguin was born in a town called Annonay in France. His father, Marc François Seguin, started a successful company called Seguin & Co. Marc's mother, Thérèse-Augustine de Montgolfier, was related to Joseph Montgolfier. Joseph was a pioneer who helped invent the hot air balloon.
Amazing Inventions and Businesses
Marc Seguin was not just an inventor; he was also a smart businessman. He worked with his brothers and brother-in-law. Together, they continued their family's businesses. These included making textiles, paper, and even providing gas-lighting. They also owned coal mines and worked in construction.
Building Bridges
Marc Seguin designed and built the very first suspension bridge in mainland Europe. A suspension bridge uses strong cables hanging from towers to support the bridge deck. This design allows bridges to span long distances.
He built and managed 186 toll-bridges across France. In 1823, a model of his planned bridge was shown at an exhibition. This bridge would cross the Rhône River. It connected the towns of Tain-l'Hermitage and Tournon-sur-Rhône. This important bridge was finished in 1825.
Faster Steam Locomotives
After the first public railway opened in England in 1825, Marc Seguin visited it. He saw George Stephenson's Locomotion train working. He bought two of Stephenson's engines, but they didn't work well in France.
So, in 1829, Marc Seguin created his own steam locomotives. These trains had a new kind of boiler with many tubes. This "multi-tube boiler" was a big improvement. It helped steam trains go much faster. Trains could now speed up from about 4 miles per hour to 25 miles per hour! This made railroads a much better way to travel and move goods.
Honors and Legacy
Marc Seguin received many honors for his work. In 1845, he became a member of the Académie des Sciences. This is a very respected group of scientists in France. He was also made a Knight of the Légion d'honneur in 1836. Later, he became an Officer in 1866.
He wrote many books about how to use physics and math to build bridges and train engines. His name is also one of the 72 names carved on the Eiffel Tower. This shows how important his contributions were to French engineering.
See also
In Spanish: Marc Seguin para niños
- List of works by Eugène Guillaume
