Hydraulic engineering reached a significant milestone in 1667 when Rennequin Sualem completed a pumping mechanism for the castle of Huy. By utilizing water from the Hoyoux River, he successfully elevated liquid fifty meters to serve the chateau in Modave. This project established the technical foundation for his future contributions to large-scale water management systems in France.
The Modave Prototype
Before his international recognition, Sualem demonstrated his capabilities within the Prince-Bishopric of Liège. His work at Modave involved creating a pump capable of overcoming a significant vertical incline. This application of water-powered mechanics served as a proof of concept, demonstrating that his design could manage substantial hydraulic pressure and height requirements.
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In 1678, King Louis XIV sought a technical solution to supply water from the Seine River to the royal fountains at Versailles and Marly. Although competitors failed to provide a viable plan, Sualem secured the contract by presenting a wooden model that scaled up his previous work. Constructed alongside Arnold de Ville, the resulting Machine de Marly featured 14 paddlewheels that activated over 200 pumps. This intricate arrangement forced water through a pipe network into an aqueduct, raising it 150 meters. The project reached completion in 1684 and remained operational until 1817.
Professional Scope and Legacy
Beyond his royal commissions, Sualem applied his engineering expertise to industrial challenges, including a pump system for a coal mine in Decize. Throughout his career, he operated as a civil engineer and inventor, with his professional life primarily documented in the Prince-Bishopric of Liège and France. Following his death in 1708 at Marly-le-Roi, his name was memorialized through various street names and institutions in Paris, Brussels, and Liège, including the Haute École Rennequin Sualem.
Fast facts
- Born: 1645, Jemeppe-sur-Meuse
- Died: 1708, Bougival
- Citizenship: Prince-Bishopric of Liège
- Primary occupations: Engineer, inventor, civil engineer
- Notable project: Machine de Marly
- Machine de Marly completion: 1684
Questions readers ask
What was the purpose of the Machine de Marly?
It was designed to transport water from the Seine River to supply the fountains at the chateaux of Versailles and Marly.
How high could the Machine de Marly lift water?
The system was engineered to lift water to a height of 150 meters.
Achievements
- Worked as inventor, civil engineer and engineer