Jacques Manne
Jacques Manne (1847-1918)
1919 Obituary [1]
JACQUES MANNE was born in 1847.
He received his education at the School of Mines attached to the University of Liege, and obtained the Diploma in Engineering.
In 1871 he entered the works of Monsieur G. Montefiore-Levi at Val Bendit, near Liege, and was appointed manager in 1873.
In 1897 when the works were converted into a limited company under the title of "Societe Anonyme des Fonderie et Trifil6rie de Bronze-Phosphoreux," he became its Managing Director. He devoted attention to electrical matters- and conducted numerous experiments with a view to replacing iron and steel overhead wires, which had many disadvantages, by copper wires. The discovery of phosphor-bronze wire solved the problem. The results of the researches undertaken by him, in collaboration with Monsieur Montefiore-Levi, were the subject of various papers.
He also took out numerous patents relating to the improvement of workshop tools, especially wire-drawing machines, and devices for the support and jointing of phosphor-bronze conductors so as to adapt them for long-distance transmission, also lightning arresters.
The works with which he was associated were among the first, in 1883, in Belgium to adopt electric lighting. An active and far-seeing business man M. Manne always took great interest in the well- being of his employees, and for their benefit he founded insurance schemes, superannuation and benevolent funds, and savings banks. He also organized courses of instruction for his employees and provided a library for them.
As a Councillor for the Commune of Anderlecht, he was greatly interested in professional and technical education, and for more than 29 years was a member of the Board of Management of the Technical School of the district. A member of most of the Belgian learned societies, he was elected President of the Societe Beige d'Electriciens for the year 1888-1889.
Warm hearted and of sterling honesty, by nature obliging and endowed with a sound judgment, he was always the friend of his colleagues and staff. The anxieties which were brought upon him by the War as a result of the closing of his works, and the departure of a beloved grandson who volunteered for active service at the age of 18, shortened his days and he died at Anderlecht, near Brussels, on the 30th March, 1918.
He was elected a Foreign Member of the Institution in 1886, became a Member in 1911, and served as Local Honorary Secretary and Treasurer for Belgium from 1913 until his death.