Léon Serpollet

Léon Serpollet

Statue by Jean Boucher
Born (1858-10-04)4 October 1858
Culoz, France
Died 1 February 1907(1907-02-01) (aged 48)
Paris, France
Monuments
Nationality French
Occupation Industrialist
Organization Gardner-Serpollet
Known for

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 / 48.877969; 2.288112) in Paris' 17th arrondissement, and the Parc Léon Serpollet (48°53′32″N 2°20′18″E / 48.89228°N 2.33831°E / 48.89228; 2.33831) in its 18th arrondissement.

References

  1. ↑ "Paris Serpollet Steam Tram 437, La Gare de l'Est". Tramway Information. Retrieved 16 July 2013.
  2. ↑ US Patent 597028 RATEURS A VAPORISATION INSTANTANE LEON SERPOLLET June 26, 1897
  3. ↑ Paris Walking Tours - Parc Léon Serpollet
  4. ↑ "Speed Record Club". Retrieved 16 July 2013.
  5. ↑ Northey, Tom (1974). "Land Speed Record: The Fastest Men on Earth". In Ian Ward. World of Automobiles. Vol. 10. London: Orbis. p. 1162.

See also


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