In the 1920s, Gustave Eiffel, the renowned engineer behind the Eiffel Tower, sought to push the boundaries of innovation beyond his iconic landmark. Inspired by the challenges of aquatic performances, he invented the first mobile pool bottom for the Cirque d’Hiver in Paris. This revolutionary system allowed the pool’s depth to be adjusted using hydraulic mechanisms, opening up new possibilities for acrobatic and aquatic shows. The mobile pool bottom added a dynamic element to performances, enabling artists to create varied and visually stunning scenes.

In the 1980s, Murielle Hermine, an artist known for her extraordinary aquatic shows, discovered the potential of Eiffel’s invention. She incorporated the mobile pool bottom into her show Crescend’o, a breathtaking performance blending dance, acrobatics, and water art. The changing water depths allowed for dramatic transitions in the performance, creating mesmerizing effects and enhancing the spectacle for the audience.

In 1995, during the renovation of the Cirque d’Hiver’s pool, the founder of Aqualift, Jean-Noël Morand, discovered Eiffel’s old movable pool floor by chance. Fascinated by its potential, he decided to modernize the invention by incorporating recent technologies to improve its efficiency and accessibility. He developed a more robust and intuitive system, ideal for both individuals and professionals.

The movable pool floor, reinvented and modernized, enjoyed new success, transforming the pool and aquatic performance industries while honoring the legacy of a genius engineer.

Thanks to Gustave Eiffel’s invention of the movable pool floor and the exclusive partnership between AMP Pool Solutions and Aqualift, we are the ideal partner to bring your movable pool floor project to life.