Germain Sommeiller's compressed air rock drill used in excavation of the Mont Cenis Tunnel, 1874. Artist: Unknown

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Germain Sommeiller's compressed air rock drill used in the excavation of the Mont Cenis Tunnel, 1874. The Mont Cenis Tunnel was built between 1857 and 1871 to provide a rail link beneath the Alps connecting France and Italy. The 8 mile-long tunnel was the first rock tunnel of its type and represented a landmark achievement in civil engineering. Its construction owed much to the pneumatic drill invented by Sommeiller, the tunnel's engineer.

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Size: 4247px × 2480px
Location: World,Europe,Alps
Photo credit: © Ann Ronan Picture Library/Heritage-Images / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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