In which year did the French Canal Company first think of building the Panama Canal?

The French Canal Company first contemplated the idea of constructing the Panama Canal in 1878. This initiative was driven by Ferdinand de Lesseps, who had successfully overseen the construction of the Suez Canal. His ambition was to create a sea-level canal that would significantly shorten the maritime route between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, facilitating trade and navigation.

The project's inception in 1878 marked the beginning of a series of efforts to realize this monumental engineering undertaking. Although the endeavor faced numerous challenges, including financial difficulties and engineering obstacles, the initial idea paved the way for future attempts by both the French and later the U.S. to complete the canal, making this year a crucial point in the history of the Panama Canal's development.