André-Gustave Citroën

NAME André-Gustave Citroën

WHAT FAMOUS FOR André-Gustave Citroën is primarily known for founding the Citroën automobile company. He was a pioneer in the automotive industry, introducing innovative designs and manufacturing techniques.

BIRTH Born on February 5, 1878, in Paris, France.

FAMILY BACKGROUND Citroën came from a wealthy family of Jewish-Dutch descent. His father, Levie Citroën, was a successful diamond merchant from the Netherlands, while his mother, Masza Amelia Kleinman, was from Poland.

 Levie Citroen, committed suicide in 1884 when André was only six years old. The suicide was reportedly due to a failed business venture involving a diamond mine in South Africa. This tragic event had a significant impact on André's childhood. After his father's death, André's upbringing became relatively somber.

André lost both his parents at a young age - his mother died when he was 20 years old, before he had completed his studies.

CHILDHOOD Citroën's childhood was marked by his father's early death, leaving the family to struggle financially. Despite these challenges, he showed an early aptitude for mechanics and engineering.

He was reportedly inspired by the works of Jules Verne and fascinated by the construction of the Eiffel Tower during the 1889 World Exhibition, which sparked his desire to become an engineer.

EDUCATION Citroën graduated from the prestigious École Polytechnique in 1900, one of France’s top engineering schools. During a trip to Poland after his mother's death, he discovered a unique gear system—double helical gears—which later inspired the signature double chevron logo of Citroën cars.

CAREER RECORD After graduation, Citroën worked in various engineering roles, including a stint in Poland where he oversaw the construction of a factory to produce gears for Russian locomotives.

In 1908, he became chairman of the French automobile company Mors, reviving the company’s fortunes. 

During World War I, Citroën established factories to mass-produce armaments, applying similar techniques to car manufacturing after the war.  The first Citroën car, the Type A, was sold on July 7, 1919. 

In 1924, Citroën introduced Europe’s first all-steel-bodied car, the B-10. 

His most notable achievement came in 1934 with the Traction Avant, the first mass-produced front-wheel-drive car with a monocoque body.

APPEARANCE Described as a well-groomed man of average height, Citroën had a distinct air of sophistication. His appearance reflected the style of an industrialist of his time—suits, ties, and neatly combed hair.

André Citroën on an ocean voyage

FASHION As a businessman, Citroën was known for his formal, refined style, favoring tailored suits that mirrored his success in the automobile industry.

CHARACTER André Citroën was known as a charismatic, innovative, forward-thinking engineer and businessman. However, he also had a reputation as a risk-taker and gambler, which ultimately led to his financial downfall. His ambition drove him to push boundaries in the automotive world.

SENSE OF HUMOUR Although primarily focused on his business, Citroën was known to have a charming personality, which contributed to his success in building relationships and promoting his brand.

RELATIONSHIPS André Citroën married Georgina Bingen on May 28, 1914, when he was 36 years old. The ceremony took place on May 28, 1914 in the 16th arrondissement of Paris. Georgina (also spelled Giorgina in some sources) Bingen was the daughter of an Italian financier. They had four children together and the marriage lasted until his death in 1935, spanning over 20 years.

Citroen liked to invite celebrities such as Maurice Chevalier, Mistinguett, and Josephine Baker to events and he participated "with frenzy" in the social scene of the Roaring Twenties, which was known for its extravagance.

MONEY AND FAME At the height of his career, Citroën was one of the most famous industrialists in Europe. He enjoyed immense wealth from his business ventures, although his gambling tendencies eventually led to his bankruptcy in 1934. His company was taken over by Michelin, one of its main creditors.

FOOD AND DRINK Citroën enjoyed social dining, both in a business and social context. He once attended a lunch with a delegation from General Motors, where he demonstrated his skills as an impersonator and card manipulator. 

MUSIC AND ARTS Citroën frequented cabarets and theaters, both in his youth and during the Roaring Twenties.

He enjoyed attending piano and jazz concerts at the mansions of his friends.

Citroën had a flair for public relations, including organizing publicity stunts like illuminating the Eiffel Tower with the Citroën name.

He was a "born orator" who enjoyed giving tours of his factories.

LITERATURE As a young man, Citroën enjoyed reading authors such as Walter Scott (Ivanhoe), Gustave Aimard (Arkansas Trappers), and especially Jules Verne, whose works fueled his childhood imagination and dream to become an engineer.

HOBBIES AND SPORTS  Citroën established a toy factory that made miniature cars, even giving his own children an electronically powered toy

Beyond his business ventures, Citroën enjoyed gambling at casinos, which became an expensive hobby and ultimately contributed to his financial ruin.

SCIENCE AND MATHS Citroën had a strong foundation in mathematics and engineering, as reflected in his education and contributions to mechanical design, particularly in automotive engineering.

In the early 1900s, during a visit to Poland, André Citroën observed wooden double helical gears being used in water-powered milling machinery. Impressed by their quiet operation and ability to handle heavy loads without damaging the wood, Citroën realized the potential for adapting this design to steel. In 1904, he patented a steel double helical chevron gear, launching his first industrial venture: a small gear cutting business named "Engrenages Citroën."

The distinctive shape of these double helical gears inspired the iconic Citroën double chevron logo. 

The gears with double chevrons that were the basis of the Citroën logo. By Bain News Service -

Citroën's gear business quickly thrived, supplying gears to a wide range of applications, including French automobiles and even the steering system of the Titanic. By 1910, the company's annual turnover exceeded a million francs, and Citroën had forged strong relationships with numerous French automotive manufacturers.

Citroën financed various scientific expeditions, including one that traveled 8,000 miles (13,000 km) by car from Beirut to Peking following the Silk Road, and another cross-Sahara expedition to Timbuktu.

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY Though his Jewish heritage was an important part of his identity, Citroën’s professional focus was on technological innovation, rather than religious or philosophical pursuits.

POLITICS Citroën's contribution to the French war effort during World War I positioned him as a key figure in French industrial policy.

SCANDAL Citroën’s gambling habits and financial mismanagement led to the bankruptcy of his company in 1934. Michelin, one of his largest creditors, took control of the company.

MILITARY RECORD During World War I, Citroën’s contribution to the French military effort was significant. His factory produced armaments for the war using mass-production techniques that later translated to car manufacturing.

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS Citroën suffered from stomach cancer in his later years, which weakened his health and led to his death.

HOMES Citroën lived in Paris, close to the city’s industrial and cultural hubs, and later in life, a public garden, Parc André Citroën, was created on the site of one of his factories.

TRAVEL Citroën was an avid traveler, making frequent trips across Europe for both business and personal matters, including his significant visit to Poland, where he discovered the double helical gear system.

DEATH André Citroën died on July 3, 1935, at the age of 57, from stomach cancer in Paris, just a year after losing control of his company.

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA Citroën’s name lives on through his car brand, and his contributions to the automotive industry have been featured in various documentaries and historical retrospectives on industrial pioneers.

ACHIEVEMENTS Citroën's most significant achievements include mass-producing cars in Europe, introducing the first all-steel-bodied car in Europe, and launching the Traction Avant, the world’s first mass-produced front-wheel-drive car. The Parc André Citroën in Paris stands as a testament to his legacy.