A set of gears featuring a distinctive fishbone structure, discovered in Poland around 1900, provided the mechanical foundation for André Citroën’s career. By securing the patent for these double helical gears and refining their application, the French engineer initiated a trajectory that moved from industrial component design to the mass production of automobiles in the heart of Paris.
Early Development and Engineering Education
Born in the 9th arrondissement of Paris in 1878 to diamond merchant Levie Citroen and Masza Amelia Kleinman, André Citroën’s path toward engineering was solidified by his education at the Lycée Condorcet, Lycée Louis-le-Grand, and finally the École Polytechnique, where he graduated in 1899. Following the death of his father in his early childhood, Citroën developed a keen interest in industrial construction, influenced by the major infrastructure projects of the era.
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During World War I, Citroën achieved an international reputation by managing large-scale munitions manufacturing, an effort involving the employment of 35,000 workers. Following the conclusion of the war and a brief tenure as a director at the Société Française Doble, he established his own automotive company in 1919. This transition marked his shift toward the assembly-line techniques that would define his legacy as a major industrialist.
Automotive Growth and Financial Collapse
By the 1930s, his company had ascended to become the fourth-largest automobile manufacturer globally, reaching a production peak in 1932 with the release of the innovative Traction Avant. Despite this technical success, the combined pressures of the Great Depression and the high costs of development led the firm into bankruptcy in 1934. The company was subsequently acquired by its primary tire supplier, Michelin.
Legacy and Final Years
Citroën received the Grand Officer of the Legion of Honour in 1931 for his contributions to French industry. Following his death from stomach cancer in 1935, his life was marked by various civic commemorations in Paris, including the renaming of the Quai de Javel to Quai André Citroën in 1958. He remains buried at the Montparnasse Cemetery.
Fast facts
- Born: 1878, 9th arrondissement of Paris
- Died: 1935, Paris
- Education: École polytechnique
- Founded company: 1919
- Military rank: Captain
- Burial site: Montparnasse Cemetery
- Award: Grand Officer of the Legion of Honour (1931)
Questions readers ask
What inspired the Citroën double-chevron logo?
The logo is reputed to be inspired by the distinctive fishbone pattern of the double helical gears Citroën discovered in Poland.
What happened to the Citroën company after 1934?
Following financial failure during the Great Depression, the company was taken over by its main creditor and tire provider, Michelin.
Achievements
- Grand Officer of the Legion of Honour — 1931
- Educated at Lycée Condorcet, Lycée Louis-le-Grand and École polytechnique
- Worked as entrepreneur, industrialist and engineer
