Charles-Louis-Félix Franchot (born 16 September 1809 in Saint- Venant - 31 July 1881 in Ancerville (Meuse) ) was a French designer, inventor, mechanical engineer.He worked as a tax officer as well as developing his inventions. He is the son of an officer who fought in the revolutionary and then Napoleonic armies and ended his career with the rank of lieutenant colonel, was made officer of the legion of honor (1807) and received the title of baron of the Empire. His mother was Marie Dieudonne Wallart de Maranville. He was awarded the honour of Knight of the Legion of Honour in 1855.