Marquis Jules Félix Philippe Albert de Dion de Wandonne, a pioneer of the automobile industry in France, died aged 90


Monday 19th August 1946

Marquis Jules Félix Philippe Albert de Dion de Wandonne, a pioneer of the automobile industry in France, died aged 90. During 1883 he formed a partnership with George Bouton which became the De Dion-Bouton automobile company, the world’s largest automobile manufacturer for a time. They tried marine steam engines, but progressed to a steam car which used belts to drive the front wheels whilst steering with the rear. This was destroyed by fire during trials. In 1884 they built another with steerable front wheels and drive to the rear wheels. It is the world’s oldest running car, and is capable of carrying four people at up to 38 mph. In 1898 he co-founded the Mondial de l’Automobile (Paris Motor Show).


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