Though his first passion was Greek Antiquity, he proved to be well-versed in mathematical and philosophical problems.
During the First World War, he offered some proposals for tank design and development.
Estienne envisioned a smaller and more mobile platform.
A Polish-crewed Renault FT tank on patrol in Katowice two days after the ending of the Polish-Soviet War on March 18, 1921. The tanks were provided to Poland as part of its alliance with France.
Yet, as so often impacted Frances military programs of the era, personalities and politics came into play.
It employed a monocoque construction principal that was later applied for virtually all passenger cars and light vehicles.
Its design clearly influenced most tanks to come as it was a narrow box of riveted steel.
American troops head toward combat on the first day of the Meuse–Argonne offensive. These tanks were French-built Renault FT tanks and not the American-made Model 1917. Image: NARA
Though some sources describe it as an FT-17, it was never designated as such by the French military.
Around 30 of the tanks successfully stopped a German advance.
The FT proved to provide far greater mobility than the larger heavy tanks of the era.
While much smaller than the British Mark VII tank, the 6-ton tank was still intimidating when looking up at it from a trench. This one is armed with the M1916 37mm cannon. Image: SA-kuva
He envisioned that tanks should be employed in mass assaults on enemy positions, attacking ahead of the infantry.
There were a significant number still in service in 1939 when the Second World War broke out.
Some had their turrets removed, with the turrets installed as coastal defenses.
A Polish army unit with its FT 17 tanks during the Polish-Soviet War. Image: Polish National Digital Archives
However, the program was beset with problems from the beginning.
Coupled with bureaucratic inertia and an overall lack of cooperation from military departments, the result was significant delays.
Eight more showed up in December truly a case of too little and too late.
The Finnish army used the Renault FT 17 in the Winter War against the Soviet Union. The Red Army employed the more modernT-26 tankswhen they invaded Finland. Image: SA-kuva
After the war, the Van Dorn Iron Works, the Maxwell Motor Co., and the C.L.
Those vehicles were delivered to the Tank Corps, which complemented about 200 Renault FTs brought back from France.
In July 1932, six M1917s were deployed in Washington D.C. during the dispersal of the so-called Bonus Army.
A Renault tank regiment moves through the center of Helsinki, Finland enroute to winter maneuvers outside the city in 1931. Image: SA-kuva
Period photos showed the tanks on Pennsylvania Avenue, but it is not believed that any shots were fired.
Northwest of Verdun in 1918, these American tankers sit in their Renault FT tank with the hatches open to allow for airflow. Image: NARA
A Polish-crewed Renault FT tank is parked on a city street in early 1921. Image: Polish National Digital Archives
Finland’s first tanks, the Renault FT, at the 1920 anniversary parade of the Defense Forces in Helsinki. Image: Ivan Timiriasew/SA-kuva
American troops with their Renault FT tank in France during 1918. The tank is dragging an extra supply of fuel on a platform behind it. Image: NARA
The Renault FT tank was a departure from the lumbering pillboxes developed by others. It profoundly influenced tank development throughout the 20th century. Image: Polish National Digital Archives
With the Soviet Union as a real threat, these Polish women complete an instructor course of the Rifle Association. Their class photo was with a FT-17 tank. Image: Polish National Digital Archives
This 1926 photo shows a Renault FT-17 tank that was converted to a smoke generator. The two cylinders were filled with chemicals which created smoke screens. Image: Polish National Digital Archives
Nationalist soldiers use a captured Renault FT 17 tank on the Madrid Front during the Spanish Civil War in 1936. Image: Polish National Digital Archives
The World War I-era tank was used by Germany in the Second World War. This one was damaged in the Italian Campaign, 1944-45. Image: Polish National Digital Archives
The M3 Stuart light tank was more than a match for the Renault tanks. This M3 Stuart was photographed outside of Naples, Italy. Image: NARA
In the 1940s, Finland used the Renault tanks during the Winter War and the Continuation War. Image: SA-kuva
Taken from charts used by Intelligence School — Tank Corps of the U.S. Army, this is a drawing of the American Model 1917 tank. Image: NARA
This is a freshly manufactured Model 1917 tank at the Van Dorn Iron Works Co. of Cleveland, Ohio. It is fully equipped with hand tools and tail piece. Image: NARA
Shown here is a World War I recruiting poster for the U.S. Army Tank Corps. The art features cartoon versions of the British Mark VII or Mark VIII tanks. Image: NARA
Workers assemble Model 1917 tank turrets at the Van Dorn Iron Works in Cleveland. Image: NARA
Lt. Col. George S. Patton, Jr. defined U.S. Army tank tactics with the French Renault FT light tank during World War I. U.S.-made Model 1917 tanks would not arrive before the war ended. Image: U.S. Army
Capt. D. Eisenhower (left) and Lt. Owens photographed next to a Model 1917 at Camp Colt, Gettysburg, PA. Image: NARA
These tanks were able to operate at high altitude as this one demonstrated during a dash up Pike’s Peak in 1919. It was part of a Victory Liberty loan drive to pay for war expenses. Image: NARA
This Renault FT tank is on display at the National World War I Museum in Kansas City, MO. Damage from a German cannon can be seen at the rear of the tank. Image: Author
An original French Renault FT at the Musée de l’Armée (Museum of the Army) in Paris. AGoliath tracked minecan also be seen in front of the FT. Image: Author
