filing patents. Armand Chappée was one of three entrepreneurs from Sarthe who accounted for almost 90% of patents in the region in the 1880s, the other two being the hemp-weaver Louis-Antoine Bary and Ernest-Sylvain Bollée. The Chappée products won prizes in Angers (1871), Paris (1878), Le Mans (1880), Sidney (1880), Melbourne (1881), Paris (1881), Blois (1883), Caen (1883) and Amsterdam (1889). Chappée's exhibit at the Exposition Universelle (1889) won a Grand Prix. The display was almost across and showed all the company's products. The centerpiece was a cast iron reproduction of a monumental fountain in Louis XVI style, with a basin from which a nymph emerged spilling water from an urn. Around this, in carefully arranged disarray, were cast iron pots, irons, weights for scales, fireplace grills, small stoves, boxes, copying presses, sewer grills, locks, umbrella stands, fire hydrants and valves. There were many pipes, a candelabra, washtub, bakery oven, screw press, gargoyles, feet for garden benches and many other objects. Elsewhere the company exhibited a mobile oven on wheels that was used by the army to cook meat, but could also be used for bakery and other types of food. The company now had customers throughout France and in many foreign markets. The number of workers at Antoigné rose from almost 200 in 1874 to 600 in 1900 and 1,000 in 1910. At Port-Brillet the number of workers rose from 90 in 1882 to 600 in 1900 and 800 in 1910. In 1895 Armand and his son Louis founded the company Armand Chappée et fils. Armand Chappee at Fils was one of several foundries in France that used pig iron made by others. This was known as moulage de fonte en seconde fusion. The two plants made many types of iron pipe, radiators, pumps, kitchenware, motor blocks and decorative ironwork. Around 1900 Chappée's factories began to produce central heating boilers, to be placed in the cellar, and cast iron radiators. Paternalism Chappée was a paternalistic employer. He provided housing for the workers, undertook measures to make the factories safer, created first aid stations, set up a fire brigade, provided apprenticeships and gave evening classes for office workers. The factories also provided schools, children's day care centers, sporting, musical and artistic societies, a savings bank system and retirement pensions. Workers had to pay 5 francs to join the Mutual Aid society, and then a monthly subscription of 1 franc for