Vespa is the most famous two - wheeled vehicle of the twentieth century and the company that responsible for this gem is Piaggio. Piaggio company was founded in 1884 by Rinaldo Piaggio, who was one of the best manufacturer of plane in Italy and was doing great in doing tranportation from heavy vehicles railway cars and plane. But, the loss of World War II ruin the economic for the Italy and completely destroyed the main plant in Pontedera.
It wasn’t until 1946, when the son of Rinaldo, Enrico Piaggio, asked his engineer to develop a vehicle, which would provide easy transportation for impoverished masses and the first Vespa scooter was born. Vespa history started with great aeronautical engineer Corradino D’Ascanio, who worked for Piaggio since the thirties. D’Ascanio was asked to develop an easy to operate vehicle for both men and women with the ability to carry a passenger and their belongings. One of the requirements was also protection from the mud on ruined roads to keep the passengers clean.
D’Ascanio, who is also responsible for the concept of a modern helicopter and who also coincidentally hated motorcycles, created a scooter with rear mounted engine, strong steel frame, rigid suspension, wide front protective panel and easy twist grip gear selector on the handlebar. As soon as Enrico saw the new prototype, he exclaimed: “It looks like a wasp!” and the scooter was named Vespa (Italian for a wasp) on the spot thus started a Vespa history that will always continue.
This 98cc model has been so successful that it sold 12 500 units within first two years and enriched the Italian language with the verb “vespare”, which means to go somewhere on a Vespa. The scooters has become a symbol of transformation from war to peace and Vespa became one of the most recognized brands in the world. Company has been on its way with over million scooters sold within the first decade.
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