Edouard Allar

Edouard Allar was born on March 13, 1873 in Marseille. He was the youngest of the three sons of architect Gaudensi Allar (1841-1904), an important figure in the Marseilles architectural scene of the last third of the 19th century. The family culture in which Edouard Allar is immersed commits him to a career in the construction world, just like his two older brothers: Fernand Allar (1871- 1927) who dedicates himself to project management by specializing in reinforced concrete construction; Paul Allar (1868-1930), architect, collaborator then successor of his father at the head of the family agency. 

Edouard Allar chose the technical approach and intended to be an engineer. He trained in the most prestigious school of its kind: the Ecole Centrale des Arts et Manufactures (class 1894-1897). 

After graduating third in his class, he began his engineering career at the Société de Construction de Levallois-Perret, where he had the good fortune to start as secretary to the eminent engineer Gustave Eiffel (1832-1923). Specialist in major metal works, he is then in charge of the management of important yards in France (viaduct of the Metropolitan and caissons for the passage of the trains under the Seine in Paris; technical service of the Eiffel Tower; skeleton of the Grand Palais of the Marseille Colonial Exhibition in 1906), in Portugal (bridge of Figueira da Foz), in Guadeloupe and in Saigon. 

In 1910, Edouard Allar joined the Association Lyonnaise des Propriétaires d'appareils à vapeur (currently APAVE) as assistant director. In 1921, he was entrusted with the management. Its functions lead it to carry out research on the driving force obtained by both steam and electricity. A seasoned professional and well-known scientist, he has published numerous articles on thermal motors, central heating, boiler defects and accidents. 

In 1927, in recognition of all the services rendered, he was awarded the Chevalier Cross of the Legion of Honour. 

Sources

Archives 

- AN CAC 47960, part 2, Dossier de Légion d'Honneur by Edouard Allar. 
- Ecole Centrale des Arts et Manufactures, Dossier de scolarité by Edouard Allar. 
- AP Nadine Verduci (Marseille). 
- AP APAVE (Lyon). 

Printed sources 

- Ecole Centrale des Arts et Manufactures, class 1897, 25th Anniversary School Release Souvenir Album, Paris: E. Baudelot, printer, 1922. 
- Newsletter of the Association Amicale des Anciens Élèves de l'Ecole Centrale des Arts et Manufactures, Exercise 1936-1937, Paris, Imprimerie André Tournon et Cie, October-November 1936. 
- Directory of the Association Amicale des Anciens Élèves de l'Ecole Centrale des Arts et Manufactures, 1898-1936, Paris, Imprimerie nouvelle (workers' association).