René Panhard facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
René Panhard
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| Born |
Louis François René Panhard
27 May 1841 Paris, France
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| Died | 16 July 1908 (aged 67) La Bourboule, France
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| Education | École Centrale Paris |
| Occupation | design and production of automobiles |
Louis François René Panhard (born May 27, 1841 – died July 16, 1908) was a French engineer and businessman. He was a very important person in starting the automobile industry in France.
Contents
Early Life and Education
René Panhard was born in Paris, France. He went to school at Collège Sainte-Barbe. Later, he studied engineering at École Centrale Paris, graduating in 1864.
After finishing his studies, Panhard started working for Jean-Louis Périn. This company made machines for working with wood. It was there that he met Émile Levassor, who would become his future business partner. In 1878, Panhard was honored with the title of Chevalier of the Legion of Honour.
Starting a Car Company
In 1889, after Jean-Louis Périn passed away, René Panhard decided to start a new business. He teamed up with Émile Levassor and Edouard Sarazin. After Edouard's death, his widow, Louise Sarazin, also joined them.
They worked together to get licenses to build engines designed by Gottlieb Daimler in France. This led them to create the famous Panhard & Levassor car company. In 1890, their company built its very first automobile.
Early Car Designs and Racing Success
In 1891, Panhard and Levassor designed and produced the first Daimler car engine. It was known as the "twin V" engine.
René Panhard was not just a designer; he also loved car racing. He took part in many early automobile races and even won some of them. These included the Paris-Rouen race in 1894, which was one of the first big motor races ever. He also won the Paris-Bordeaux-Paris race in 1895 and the Tour de France Automobile in 1899. Panhard cars were very successful in races and were known for their speed until about 1900.
Continuing the Legacy
In 1897, Émile Levassor sadly died because of an accident during a race. René Panhard then continued the company's work with his son, Hippolytus.
Together, they kept developing and producing new automobiles. By 1900, the Panhard company was making a wide range of fancy, luxury cars. In 1904, Panhard's cars won a big award at the St. Louis Exposition in the United States.
Other Achievements and Legacy
Besides his work in the car industry, René Panhard also served as the mayor of Thiais. This is a town in the Val-de-Marne area of France.
Today, a street in the 13th area of Paris is named after him. This shows how important he was to the city and the country.
Later Life and Death
René Panhard passed away in 1908 in La Bourboule, France. He was buried in the famous Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris. His work helped shape the early automobile industry and left a lasting mark on transportation.
See also
In Spanish: René Panhard para niños
