André Citroën
Encyclopedia
André-Gustave Citroën (5 February 1878 – 3 July 1935) was a French industrialist. He is remembered chiefly for the make of car named after him
, but also for his application of double helical gears
.
and Mazra Kleinmann (of Warsaw
, Poland). He was a cousin of the British philosopher Sir A. J. Ayer.
The Citroen family moved to Paris from Amsterdam
in 1873. Upon arrival, the diaeresis was added to the name, changing Citroen to Citroën (a grandfather had sold lemons, and had changed the consequent name Limoenman "lime man" to Citroen (Dutch for "lemon")). His father committed suicide when André was only six years old.
André was a graduate of the École Polytechnique
in 1900. During World War I, he was responsible for mass production
of armament
s. André founded the Citroën
automobile company in 1919, leading it to become the fourth-largest automobile manufacturer in the world by the early 1930s.
He died in Paris, France, of stomach cancer
in 1935 and was interred in the Cimetière du Montparnasse, the funeral being led by the Chief Rabbi of Paris. In 1992, the Parc André Citroën
public garden in Paris was named after him.
In 1998 he was inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame
in Dearborn, Michigan
.
Citroën
Citroën is a major French automobile manufacturer, part of the PSA Peugeot Citroën group.Founded in 1919 by French industrialist André-Gustave Citroën , Citroën was the first mass-production car company outside the USA and pioneered the modern concept of creating a sales and services network that...
, but also for his application of double helical gears
Herringbone gear
A herringbone gear, also known as a double helical gear, is a special type of gear which is a side to side combination of two helical gears of opposite hands. Unlike helical gears they can sustain axial load smoothly...
.
Life and career
Born in Paris in 1878, André-Gustave was the 5th and last child of Jewish parents, diamond merchant Levie Citroen from the NetherlandsNetherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
and Mazra Kleinmann (of Warsaw
Warsaw
Warsaw is the capital and largest city of Poland. It is located on the Vistula River, roughly from the Baltic Sea and from the Carpathian Mountains. Its population in 2010 was estimated at 1,716,855 residents with a greater metropolitan area of 2,631,902 residents, making Warsaw the 10th most...
, Poland). He was a cousin of the British philosopher Sir A. J. Ayer.
The Citroen family moved to Paris from Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
in 1873. Upon arrival, the diaeresis was added to the name, changing Citroen to Citroën (a grandfather had sold lemons, and had changed the consequent name Limoenman "lime man" to Citroen (Dutch for "lemon")). His father committed suicide when André was only six years old.
André was a graduate of the École Polytechnique
École Polytechnique
The École Polytechnique is a state-run institution of higher education and research in Palaiseau, Essonne, France, near Paris. Polytechnique is renowned for its four year undergraduate/graduate Master's program...
in 1900. During World War I, he was responsible for mass production
Mass production
Mass production is the production of large amounts of standardized products, including and especially on assembly lines...
of armament
Weapon
A weapon, arm, or armament is a tool or instrument used with the aim of causing damage or harm to living beings or artificial structures or systems...
s. André founded the Citroën
Citroën
Citroën is a major French automobile manufacturer, part of the PSA Peugeot Citroën group.Founded in 1919 by French industrialist André-Gustave Citroën , Citroën was the first mass-production car company outside the USA and pioneered the modern concept of creating a sales and services network that...
automobile company in 1919, leading it to become the fourth-largest automobile manufacturer in the world by the early 1930s.
He died in Paris, France, of stomach cancer
Stomach cancer
Gastric cancer, commonly referred to as stomach cancer, can develop in any part of the stomach and may spread throughout the stomach and to other organs; particularly the esophagus, lungs, lymph nodes, and the liver...
in 1935 and was interred in the Cimetière du Montparnasse, the funeral being led by the Chief Rabbi of Paris. In 1992, the Parc André Citroën
Parc André Citroën
Parc André Citroën is a public park located on the left bank of the river Seine in the XVe arrondissement of Paris. The park was built on the site of a former Citroën automobile manufacturing plant, and is named after company founder André Citroën.-History:In 1915, Citroën built his factory on...
public garden in Paris was named after him.
In 1998 he was inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame
Automotive Hall of Fame
The Automotive Hall of Fame is an American museum and hall of fame covering automotive innovations.-Location:Located in the metro Detroit suburb of Dearborn, Michigan, the museum shares a parking lot with The Henry Ford.-External links:*...
in Dearborn, Michigan
Dearborn, Michigan
-Economy:Ford Motor Company has its world headquarters in Dearborn. In addition its Dearborn campus contains many research, testing, finance and some production facilities. Ford Land controls the numerous properties owned by Ford including sales and leasing to unrelated businesses such as the...
.
External links
- The early years
- Insecula encyclopedia (in French)
- Citroënët