The Zodiac Group is a French corporation with worldwide presence, specialized in the production and development of aerosafety systems, aircraft systems, airline equipment, airbags, remote transmissions, boats and swimming pools, however they are best known for their widely used small inflatable boats. The company is a blue chip stock, listed on the Euronext Paris stock exchange.
Founded in 1896 by Maurice Mallet under the name of Société Mallet, Mélandri et de Pitray, it was an aeronautical firm developing airships. In 1909, Mallet changed the name to Société Française de Ballons Dirigeables et d'Aviation Zodiac, as he was keen to establish his firm's presence in all areas of the conquest of the skies.
At the beginning of World War I, Zodiac started to make airships for the French government, but these were shown to be disappointing for strategic bombing. Therefore, Zodiac created an airplane manufacturing unit wholly separate from its balloon operations. By 1916, the company was delivering two airplanes per week.
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Zodiac Boat
In the 1930s they invented the concept of the inflatable boat, the commercial success of which after World War II established the Zodiac brand image. In the early 21st century, Zodiac is working to expand across five business segments: aerosafety systems, aircraft systems, airline equipment, marine systems, and other technology.
The Marine Mammal Center in Northern California uses Zodiac inflatable craft in the ocean rescue of injured or malnourished marine mammals. The Zodiac inflatable boats are also commonly used by the United States Navy.
The word "zodiac" is sometimes used as a genericized trademark for any rigid-hulled inflatable boat.
Zodiac Boat in popular culture
Zodiac boats became particularly well known during the run of the television series, The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau, as they were the small craft of choice for excursions away from the Calypso.
A Zodiac Boat is the "title character" of Neal Stephenson's 1988 novel, Zodiac: an Eco-Thriller. The story's protagonist, Sangamon Taylor, pilots his "Zode" around Boston Harbor inspecting, exposing or sabotaging environmentally harmful activities.
Sea Shepherd vessel MV Steve Irwin deploys two Zodiac boats named Delta and Gemini during its campaigns, featured in reality television series Whale Wars.
References
- Ventry, Lord & Kolesnik, Eugen M., "Airship Saga," Poole, Dorset, Britain, Blanford Press, 1982, ISBN 0-07137-1001-2
See also
External links
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