Armand Peugeot

Profession: Industrialist and Automobile Pioneer

Biography: Armand Peugeot played a key role in the development of the automobile industry in France. He came from a family of metalworkers and graduated from a prestigious engineering school. After a trip to England in 1881, Peugeot recognized the potential of bicycles and introduced their manufacture to his family's company.

Peugeot and his cousin Eugène began producing cars with Daimler engines in 1892. Disagreements over the future of car production led Armand to establish his own company, Société Anonyme des Automobiles Peugeot, in 1896. He built a factory dedicated to manufacturing cars with internal combustion engines.

In 1910, without a male heir, Peugeot merged his company with Eugène's. By the time he stepped down from managing the company in 1913, Peugeot was the largest car manufacturer in France, producing 10,000 cars per year. Peugeot died in 1915 and was inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame in 1999 for his significant contributions to the industry.

Born: February 18, 1849
Birthplace: Hérimoncourt, France
Star Sign: Aquarius

Died: February 4, 1915 (aged 65)