When the Pic du Midi Observatory was installed in 1880, its primary function was meteorological. Its founders, however, quickly understood the opportunity to convert it into an astronomical hotspot. Astronomer Benjamin Baillaud climbed the site several times and had a shelter built for a first telescope in order to test conditions at the summit. Following the success of this first experiment, the construction of the astronomical station began in 1904 and 1905. The Benjamin Baillaud dome, 26.25 ft (8 m) in diameter, was built in Toulouse and later assembled in the observatory's garden.