Summary
1907 - 1925
Childhood and
adolescence
April 16, 1907, Valcourt, Quebec, Canada: Joseph-Armand is born with a gift
for mechanics, which he demonstrates at a particularly young age. Builds
mobile toys using clock mechanisms at 13 years old. Designs his first snow
vehicle at age 15. Takes time out from classical studies to learn the
mechanic's trade, receiving training by correspondence.
... Detailed
Biography 1907 - 1925 >>
1926 - 1938
First success
Opens the Bombardier Garage in Valcourt at 19 years old. Marries Yvonne
Labrecque, starting a family that would total six children. Untiring
research leads to the invention of a revolutionary track-and-sprocket
system, patented in June 1937. Perfects and produces his first snowmobile,
called B71: a commercial success.
... Detailed Biography 1926 - 1938 >>
1939 - 1945
The war years
Production and launch of a larger capacity snowmobile, called B121. Builds
a factory. Company growth slows when Canada joins the war effort. Civilian
vehicle production stops. Designs and produces tracked vehicles for the
military. Research continues, leading to numerous patent requests.
Establishes L'Auto-Neige Bombardier Limitée. ... Detailed
Biography 1939 - 1945 >>
1946 - 1948
Post-war growth
Production of the B121 returns with strength. Construction of a new assembly
line production plant in Valcourt to meet increasing demand. Launch of the
C181 for carrying school children over unplowed roads.
...
Detailed
Biography 1946 - 1948 >>
1949 - 1958
Industrial vehicles
Law regarding snow removal on rural routes takes effect: abrupt drop in
snowmobile sales. Major effort to diversify with replacement products to
ensure the company's survival. Perfects and markets a variety of off-road
vehicles. Company regains strength with marketing of the new TTA1 traction
mechanism. Launch of the all-track MuskegR3 tractor, one of the company's
greatest successes of the time. Develops vehicles designed specifically for
the logging industry. Establishes Rockland Accessories Ltd., a rubber
production subsidiary.
... Detailed Biography 1949 - 1958 >>
1959 - 1964
The Ski-Doo®2 snowmobile
Develops a small individual snow vehicle, which would soon become the
popular definition of "snowmobile." Begins mass producing the Ski-Doo®2.
Progressive, then accelerated, increases in demand. Establishes Roski Ltée,
a subsidiary for the manufacture of fibreglass components. Expansion of the
Valcourt factory. Joseph-Armand Bombardier dies February 18, 1964 at age 56.
Bequeaths money to charitable causes.
... Detailed
Biography 1959 - 1964 >>
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