more about the Seguin

Marc Seguin was a pioneer of the industrial revolution (suspension bridges, locomotives, railways) and, in contrast to many of his contemporaries, was involved in numerous fields and disciplines (scientific theory, innovation, astronomy, teaching, etc.). Furthermore, he practiced an approach comparable to design thinking and other current processes of creativity with a focus on societal issues. 

Two factors explain this diversity and approach. On one hand, the adolescent Marc Seguin spent three years with his great-uncle Joseph de Montgolfier. This brilliant mind invented (with his brother Etienne) the hot-air balloon and settled in Paris, where he was received at the Academy of Sciences, taught at the Arts et Métiers university, and was part of the famous lodge of the “nine sisters” where he rubbed shoulders with Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and many other scholars and artists of that revolutionary time. He also mentored young “annonéens” sent to Paris to further their education. He paid special attention to the young Marc, discerning his talents. He knew that Marc would not be able to pursue studies in Paris for family reasons and imparted to him a solid scientific foundation based on the principles of the Enlightenment (observation, reason, and science), not forgetting his admiration for Newton. 

Returning to Annonay, Marc Seguin was quickly identified as an exceptional individual. He supplemented his scientific and technical education. He created a chemistry workshop to deepen his knowledge in the field and also built an astronomical observatory. The richness of the ecosystem in Annonay at that time was an ideal environment to develop his curiosity and intuition and led him to respond to a wide variety of requests. He did so by resorting to observation, imagination, self-education, prototyping, and experimentation, not forgetting to seek the advice of experienced individuals. And he paid attention to the societal needs of his time, whether universal or domestic, large or small. 

He continued this approach to undertake projects as innovative and important as cable suspension bridges, navigation on the Rhône, the tubular boiler and the construction of the first modern railway line on the European continent. These achievements earned him recognition as a precursor of the industrial revolution in France. He also addressed societal projects (social housing, post care facilities, retirement homes), which naturally led him to take an interest in transmission as well. 

In this regard, he resembles his English and American counterparts (“engineer-entrepreneurs”). He was a “civil engineer” who first considered the world around him and developed ad hoc solutions. His practical approach, supported by targeted scientific or technical research that responded to a societal demand or need, is close to what is now called design thinking. A working method that becomes a way of life. Far from the elitist university education of “grandes écoles” and Paris public institutions. 

This creative approach is inspiring. Observation of uses, entrepreneurial spirit, concern for social utility, recourse to knowledge and networks to find relevant information, experimentation are on his dashboard. Themes that resonate with 21st-century innovation and factors of creativity. 

In 1860, at the age of 75, he did better. He would “embody” his approach to the world and his creative process in Varagnes: he was no longer an entrepreneur but wanted to continue addressing the scientific and societal issues of the time that interested him, continue research, creation, and transmission as he saw fit, and do so with the approach that had been his throughout his life. He created Varagnes for this purpose. A unique approach that generates a unique place. He would “equip” Varagnes accordingly: magazines, books, archives, scientific instruments, artistic materials, observatory, test room, mechanics workshop, chemistry workshop, carpentry, forge, and also a classroom for teaching. (see the chapter “Learn more about Varagnes”) His descendants were not lacking in creativity either. One of his sons, Augustin, who inherited Varagnes, expanded the family’s curiosity spectrum to include artistic creation. Augustin was both an engineer, entrepreneur, innovator, and artist. Varagnes bears witness to his talents: paintings and sculptures, decoration of the interior of the greenhouse, apse of the chapel, etc. He maintained close contacts with the School of Fine Arts in Lyon, while also discussing optics, photography, and acoustics with Louis Lumière, who visited Varagnes. With Augustin, art intersects with science. His son Marc used his studies in photography to develop radiology and equip the Annonay hospital. Another son, Louis, founded the Gnome company, now Safran, and developed with his brother Laurent a very innovative  rotary aircraft engine. Their brother Tintin filed more than 65 patents and was an accomplished aviator. One of Augustin’s daughters, Rose, was a talented painter, and another son, Joseph, was a very original poet who contributed to introducing Haiku to France at the beginning of the 20th century and dedicated one of his Haiku books to the 14-18 war. One of his grandsons, Raoul de Warren, was a historian and novelist. The artist’s studio preserves numerous testimonies of the works of family members. And the list is not exhaustive!