Aviation Pioneers: Marcel Bloch-Dassault
This is the story of French aviation pioneer, Marcel Bloch-Dassault, who became active in the aeronautical world in 1931.
This is the story of French aviation pioneer, Marcel Bloch-Dassault, who became active in the aeronautical world in 1931.
DALLAS — Marcel Ferdinand Bloch, who was born in Paris on January 22, 1892, decided to pursue a career in aviation at a young age after witnessing a Wright aircraft fly around the Eiffel Tower.
In 1913, Bloch obtained a degree in aeronautical engineering and joined the "Laboratoire de Recherche Aeronautiques" (Aeronautical Research Laboratory) a year later. Alongside Henry Potez, another prominent figure in early French aviation, Bloch-Dassault established the "Societé d'Etudes Aeronautiques" (Company of Aeronautical Studies) and developed a military observation aircraft called the SEA IV for the French Air Force.
Bloch-Dassault received orders for 1,000 units, but production was halted at only 100 units at the end of World War I.
Marcel Bloch-Dassault's involvement in the aeronautical industry began in 1931 when he established the "Societé des Avions Marcel Bloch" (Marcel Bloch Aircraft Company) and opened a factory in Courbevoie, employing 700 workers. However, France nationalized the factory in 1936, and SNCASO, a mixed-capital concern, would take over, with Marcel Bloch-Dassault assuming the role of CEO.
During this time, he also founded a new company called "Societé Anonyme des Avions Marcel Bloch" (Marcel Bloch Aircraft Company Ltd.), which was responsible for designing aircraft for SNCASO. The aeronautical industry experienced significant growth before the outbreak of World War II, and under Marcel Bloch-Dassault's leadership, SNCASO's workforce expanded from 1,500 to 7,000 employees. Additionally, a new factory was established at Chateauroux Airport, bringing the total number of factories to six.
At the start of 1940, Bloch-Dassault stepped down from his position as CEO of SNCASO and faced a challenging period in his personal life. He was arrested, put on trial, and imprisoned multiple times. In 1944, the Gestapo finally caught Bloch-Dassault and sent him to the Buchenwald concentration camp, where he remained until the end of World War II.
In 1946, Bloch-Dassault changed his name to Marcel Bloch-Dassault and later to Marcel Dassault.
After World War II, Marcel Dassault secured several contracts to supply the French Air Force with a new fleet of jet fighters. His company underwent a name change and became known as "Generale Aeronautique Marcel Dassault" (General Aeronautics Marcel Dassault-GAMD). In 1949, they began production of their first jet fighter, the Ouragan. The development of the Mystere family of fighters in 1952 and the Mirage series from 1956 to 1966 followed. Alongside these military aircraft, Dassault also started producing the Falcon business jet in 1963.
In 1971, GAMD acquired Breguet Aviation and expanded its production to include the Alpha Jet, which the Patrouille de France still flies. They also collaborated with BAe to develop the Jaguar fighter and introduced the civil airliner Mercure. Meanwhile, the Falcon business jet evolved into its own family of aircraft. Marcel Dassault had successfully created an industrial complex that encompassed both military and civil aviation, as well as electronic and information technology. To prevent nationalization, he gifted 26% of the company's shares to the French government.
On May 28, 1971, the Dassault Aviation Mercure made its maiden flight from Bordeaux-Merignac Airport (BOD). The French Civil Aviation Authority (DGAC) drove the project, as Marcel Dassault recognized the need for aircraft suited for short-leg flights, which were common worldwide but lacked suitable aircraft. This insight further validated the program's development.
Marcel Dassault also had involvement in the press industry and owned a weekly magazine called Jours de France. He also ventured into politics, serving as a senator and later as a deputy for the Alpes-Cote d'Azur constituency.
In 1985, with a capital of US$1.28 billion (€1.07 billion or ₣7 billion), Marcel Dassault became the first French billionaire.
Featured image: Marcel Bloch, c. 1912. Photo: Unknown author, Public Domain
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