André-Gustave Citroën

French engineer André-Gustave Citroën, founder of Citroën, was born in Paris on 5 February 1878 into a wealthy diamond merchant’s family. His father died when he was six. Using the money his father had earned, André entered Paris’s École Polytechnique and trained as an engineer.

After graduating in 1908, he joined the Mors brothers’ car company. Over several successful years, he increased car production tenfold. At the outbreak of the First World War, he was called up and served as an artillery captain. While on leave, he offered the artillery department to manufacture the shrapnel ammunition the army needed.

After the war, he obtained a government loan and began making cars. His first model, the Citroën A, appeared in 1919; over 2,800 were built in six months. The double-chevron emblem was introduced at the same time, recalling the founder’s engineering work. He continually expanded the range to meet strong market demand.

Recognising advertising’s importance, he rented the Eiffel Tower and displayed the Citroën name on it. During the Great Depression, he went bankrupt and lost all control of the company. He died on 3 July 1935, aged fifty-seven. The company was later reorganised but retained its founder’s name.

Citroën cars remain a distinctive symbol of France. All the country’s presidents use only Citroën vehicles.

Besides founding the famous company, André organised the world-renowned Beirut–Beijing motoring expedition in the early 1930s. He also funded illumination of the Arc de Triomphe and Place de la Concorde in Paris.