Keeping Progress on Track — Charles Pierre Mathieu Combes

Charles Pierre Mathieu Combes made his reputation through systematic analysis of increasingly complex industrial systems. Combes trained as a mining engineer, graduating from the Ecole Polytechnique in 1822 and the Ecole des Mines the following year. This training gave him an understanding of the principles of mechanics, which he applied in forensic engineering analysis. Combes first tackled the problem of providing adequate ventilation in mines, which led him to invent an aerometer, to study air flow, and a ventilator fan. Combes established his reputation in 1834 with systematic analysis of factors that affect the power output and efficiency of a steam engine. This analysis contributed to the development of the new field of thermodynamics by applying the basic work of Sadi Carnot and Émile Clapeyron.

Claude Navier was impressed by Combes’ forensic ability and recruited him to join a committee of engineers charged with investigating the causes of catastrophic railroad accidents. Innovation invites unintended consequences. New mining techniques created new hazard for miners. Accidents slowed public acceptance of the new mode of travel by railroad. Keeping the train of progress from coming off the rails requires special talents in an engineer. Lazare Carnot characterized the challenges inherent in this work: confirmation by experiment often is not possible; observations are uncertain; and culpability colors the testimony of the people who were directly involved. Combes exemplified traits required to succeed: a scholar’s depth of knowledge of scientific fact, an engineer’s insight into how things work, and a principled indifference to accusations of slander.

Charles Combes is one of the 72 engineers and scientists named on the Eiffel Tower.