The statue functioned as a lighthouse for 16 years (1886-1902), lighting a distance of up to 24 miles away. 300 different types of hammers were used to create the copper structure.
The statue's face was said to be modeled on the sculptor's mother, Charlotte. The Statue of Liberty was supposed to have a sister statue and lighthouse in Egypt.
Sculptor Frederic Bartholdi offered to make Egypt a large piece for the entrance to the Suez Canal called “Egypt Carrying Light to Asia,” which would have featured a oblique Egyptian peasant woman holding a lantern. The Egyptian khedive declined
