Henry Giffard

Henry Giffard was a 19th-century engineer and inventor who is best known for pioneering the development of the steam-powered driving system for the first successful aerial cable car, or funicular, in 1862. His design used a steam engine to power a cable that moved cars up and down steep inclines, improving transportation efficiency and safety. Giffard’s innovations contributed significantly to urban transit technology, influencing later cable car and funicular systems used worldwide. His work demonstrated the effective use of steam power in mechanical transportation and laid the groundwork for future advancements in inclined railway systems.