1945
At the end of World War II, Marcel Chassagny founds Matra (Mécanique Aviation TRAction), a company focused on the defence industry.
The company starts work on researching and developing a twin-engine plane designed to have a maximum speed of 800 km/h (the fastest propeller plane in the world).
Hachette launches Elle and the earliest titles in its current group of publications.
1951
The sound barrier is broken in horizontal flight for the first time in Europe by a special Matra engine (Mach 1.4).
1953
In partnership with Henri Filipacchi, Hachette launches the Livre de Poche imprint, which remains a market leader today.
1961
The European space programme begins. Matra becomes the first prime contractor for satellites.
1963
Jean-Luc Lagardère is appointed CEO of Matra, which at the time has a workforce of 1,450.
1967
The Matra 530 is presented at the Geneva Motor Show.
1972
Matra is appointed prime contractor for its first automated urban transport system, the VAL.
1974
Jean-Luc Lagardère is appointed Chief Executive Officer of Europe 1.
Third consecutive victory in the Le Mans 24-hour rally and second manufacturers’ World Championship title for Matra-Simca.
1975
Matra wins a contract from the CNES and the ESA to build the loading bay for the new European launcher Ariane.
1980
Matra acquires the Hachette group, specialised in book publishing (Grasset, Fayard, Stock, etc.), magazines and newspapers (Elle, Le Journal du Dimanche, etc.) and distribution.