CNAM Testing Laboratory brochure: regulations, fees and booklets

In this document

Presentation and legal framework

The brochure comes from the Testing Laboratory of the Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers, attached to the Ministry of National Education (Ministry of Public Instruction and Fine Arts according to the standard form, p. 7). The Laboratory "was created by a decree of 19 May 1900, organised by a law and a decree dated 9 July 1901" p. 5. It is located at 292, rue Saint-Martin, Paris (IIIe), telephone Turbigo 71-20/71-21 p. 7.

Its competencies cover physics (excluding electricity), metals, construction materials, machines, fuels, lubricants, leathers, rubbers, insulators and fabrics, as well as the legal verification of certain instruments (medical thermometers, alcoholmeters, Luchaire and de Luynes-Bordas apparatus) p. 6.

Regulations, fees and costs

The regulations set a minimum charge of "25 francs" per test p. 8, reductions for batches of samples (10%, 20%, 30% depending on the quantity), and a possible 100% surcharge for a priority test p. 8. An annual subscription scheme (minimum provision of 3,000 fr., 15% reduction) is detailed p. 9-10.

Additional costs (hours, meals, travel) are calculated by staff category (Director, Department Heads, Assistants, Foreman):

p. 12-13

Test reports "must not contain any assessment or comment" and remain "the personal property of the applicants" p. 10.

List of booklets

The brochure lists the fee booklets by field: Physics (A-1 to A-11), Metals (B-1 to B-3), Construction Materials (C-1 to C-8), Machines and heating appliances (D-1, D-2), Miscellaneous products (E-1 to E-10) p. 14-17.

In booklet D-1, dedicated to "Aerial Propellers and Thrusters", there are also "Automobiles" and, a notable line, "Suspensions, Shock Absorbers and other Special Tests on Automobiles" p. 16.

Context

The CNAM Testing Laboratory was, in the 20th century, a public reference body for certification and independent technical expertise in France — a role similar to that of current homologation laboratories. This function explains why an automotive engineer like Paul Magès might have used it: to have suspension systems officially tested, at a time when Citroën was developing the hydropneumatic suspension applied in particular to the DS. However, nothing in this document mentions Citroën or Magès himself.

Archivist's perspective

This document is a generic administrative brochure, with no direct nominative link to Paul Magès in its content. Its presence in this collection is likely explained by its practical interest: it indicates, via booklet D-1, that the Laboratory offered "special tests" on automotive suspensions and shock absorbers p. 16, a competence that could directly concern Magès' work on hydropneumatic suspension.

It is located in the same folder as Booklet D-1 "Machines" — Testing fees of the CNAM Laboratory, which likely details the tariff content, as well as the Test report of the Hotchkiss-Laffly 6-wheel vehicle, dated 6 June 1940, suggesting an effective use of this type of service by engineers of the time. This is more of a reference document kept for its practical uses than a technical invention piece.