Jean Bertin: Genesis of air cushion technology

Jean Bertin was born on September 5th 1917 at Druyes-les-Belles-Fontaines in France. As an Ecole Polytechnique and ENSA graduate, he started his carrier in 1954 in SNECMA company, where he became Technical Manager responsable for the specific design of aircraft engines.

At this time, Jean Bertin was at the forefront of many inventions. One of the most famous of these is the trust reverser, which now forms an integral part of nearly all aircraft turbines. Inspirated by the creativity and dynamism of American companies, Jean Bertin left SNECMA on October 1st 1955 to create and develop his own company, Bertin & Cie. Created on February 27th 1956. Gabriel Voisin, a friend of Jean Bertin and a famous aviation pioneer, gave him the opportunity to start the business in his facilities in Paris.

One of the first products that Jean Bertin developed in his company were air cushions. He re-discovered the ground effect thanks to the famous Magdebourd semi-spherical ball experiment. In the 17th century, Otto Von Guericke considered two semi-spherical balls placed face to face with a small gap along their diameter. By drawing in the air inside these two parts, he then created a vaccum inside. Jean Bertin had the idea to reverse the experiment by blowing compressed air and replacing one semi-spherical ball by a smooth surface.

The air cushion was born.

These R&D works permitted the launch of the first industrialised range of air cushions dedicated to industrial applications and the design of famous transport vehicles like:

• Terraplanes (terrestrial hovercraft)
• Naviplanes (Sea hovercraft)
• Aérotrain (guided hovercraft)

Today, BERTIN TECHNOLOGIES still applies its high level of expertise in air cushion handling areas and R&D forces, to innovate an develop standard products and specific systems continually in order to respond to customer requirement.