Théophile Seyrig (Berlin, February 19, 1843 – July 5, 1923) was a Belgian engineer with German roots. He attended the École Centrale in Paris, where he graduated top of his class in 1865. On 6 October 1868, he founded the firm G. Eiffel et Cie with Gustave Eiffel. In 1879, Seyrig left the firm because he was dissatisfied with the distribution of profits.
He filed a lawsuit against Eiffel, which he lost. He supervised the construction of the Viaduc de Neuvial (1868) and Rouzat (1869). Seyrig’s most famous project during his Eiffel years was the construction of the Pont Maria Pia in Porto (1877) (cfr LinkedIn post on 4/11/2022)
Photo: Patrick Boyer
After leaving Eiffel, he became managing director of the Belgian company ‘Société anonyme de construction et ateliers de Willebroeck’, commonly named ‘Den IJzeren’. The company undertook the construction of the Dom Luis I Bridge, in Porto (Portugal), 1886 (cfr. LinkedIn post on 30/10/2022). Den Ijzeren also build the Royal Greenhouses of Laken (cfr LinkedIn post on 15/05/2022).
Photo: Patrick Rouzet
In 1927 they built in Ruiselede a spectacular TSF transmission facility to provide radio links between Belgium and Congo. Next to the main building are eight transmission masts, each 285 m high. The design for these masts was by engineer Arthur Vierendeel.
Photo: Public Domain
The Peace Bridge in Willebroek was a lifting bridge made out of portal frames and built between 1947 and 1952. ‘Den IJzeren’ was sold to G&G in 1968. Unfortunately G&G went bankrupt in 2015, and today there is nothing left of the former workshops.
About the Author:
Bruno Dursin – Managing Director at Believe in Steel. Bruno has more than 30 years of experience in promoting steel & steel solutions. His clients benefit from his extensive network within the building industry.
