Jean-François Cail

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Jean-François Cail (1804-1871).
Paris townhouse of Jean-François Cail, today Mairie du 8ieme arrondissement.

Jean-François Cail (8 February 1804 – 22 May 1871) was a French entrepreneur and industrialist who was a key figure in French industrialization. He started his career in 1824 as a factory worker making machinery for the sugar industry. The firm expanded and was renamed Derosne-Cail in 1832. It manufactured a variety of industrial machines. In 1848 Mr. Cail licensed the patents of Thomas Russell Crampton and began manufacturing Crampton locomotives as well. Having become a wealthy man, Mr. Cail built a luxurious townhouse[1] in Paris that is used today by the city government. A street in Paris is also named after him, Rue Cail. Additionally, his name is among in the 72 names engraved on the Eiffel Tower by Gustave Eiffel, in recognition of his contributions to the project.