Léon Serpollet
| Léon Serpollet | |
|---|---|
 Statue by Jean Boucher | |
| Born |
4 October 1858 Culoz, France |
| Died |
1 February 1907 (aged 48) Paris, France |
| Monuments |
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| Nationality | French |
| Occupation | Industrialist |
| Organization | Gardner-Serpollet |
| Known for |
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Léon Serpollet (4 October 1858 - 1 February 1907) was a French industrialist and pioneer of steam automobiles, under the Gardner-Serpollet brand. He also designed steam trams.[1]
In 1896, he invented and perfected the flash boiler, which made steam a much more practical source of power for an automobile.[2]
Serpollet was born in the Ain department of France, and went on to establish his factory on the rue des Cloÿs in the 18th arrondissement of Paris, a location that has become the Parc Léon Serpollet today.[3]
He held the World land speed record, at 75.06 miles per hour (120.80 km/h), achieved in April 1902 driving the steam powered Gardner-Serpollet Oeuf de Pacques ('Easter Egg').[4][5]
He is commemorated by a statue by Jean Boucher at the Place Saint-Ferdinand (48°52′41″N 2°17′17″E / 48.877969°N 2.288112°E) in Paris' 17th arrondissement, and the Parc Léon Serpollet (48°53′32″N 2°20′18″E / 48.89228°N 2.33831°E) in its 18th arrondissement.
References
- ↑ "Paris Serpollet Steam Tram 437, La Gare de l'Est". Tramway Information. Retrieved 16 July 2013.
- ↑ US Patent 597028 RATEURS A VAPORISATION INSTANTANE LEON SERPOLLET June 26, 1897
- ↑ Paris Walking Tours - Parc Léon Serpollet
- ↑ "Speed Record Club". Retrieved 16 July 2013.
- ↑ Northey, Tom (1974). "Land Speed Record: The Fastest Men on Earth". In Ian Ward. World of Automobiles. Vol. 10. London: Orbis. p. 1162.
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