VeSPA
History of iconic Italian scooters
Corradino D'Ascanio
Vespa Engineer
Vespa Engineer
Enrico Piaggio
Manufacturer Vespa
Manufacturer Vespa
But Piaggio didn't like the work of the engineers at his own company, Piaggio & Co. So he asked the aeronautical engineer Corradino D'Ascanio to take on the project of a cheap land vehicle.
To satisfy the Italians' keen demand for modern and affordable means of transportation, entrepreneur Enrico Piaggio decided to start developing motorcycles.
However, the new engineer immediately told him that he didn't like motorcycles.
AFTER WORLD WAR II, NOT ONLY ITALY'S ECONOMY WAS DESTROYED, BUT ALSO THE COUNTRY'S ROADS AND INFRASTRUCTURE.
This type of transport was ideal for moving around bombed-out Italian cities.
At the time, these olive-green scooters were very common in Italy. American paratroopers and sailors rode them during the war.
Enrico Piaggio suggested using the American Cushman motorcycle as the basis for Vespa
1945
1944
the city of Pontedera
History of Vespa
started in itali
started in itali
difficult to repair
bulky
and dirty
bulky
and dirty
he counted them
1946
Using his experience, Corradino D'Ascanio solved all these problems, creating a scooter that became a marvel of design and practicality.
What was different
about the new scooter?
about the new scooter?
1.
The seat position has been designed to provide safety and comfort.
2.
The gear shift lever has been moved to the steering wheel for easier access.
3.
And below the steering wheel, metal plates were added to protect the driver’s legs from puddles and road dirt.
Vespa 98 — the first Vespa model,
1946
1946
This reminds
me of a wasp!
me of a wasp!
tHIS IS HOW THE
NAME FOR THE
NEW DEVICE
APPEARED
NAME FOR THE
NEW DEVICE
APPEARED
1953
After Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck rode carefree on a Vespa in the 1953 film Roman Holiday, many people wanted to do it again.
1962
This Vespa belonged to students Santiago and Antonio. In the summer of 1962, they went on a trip on their scooters and were lucky enough to meet the master of surrealism, Salvador Dali. Dali decided to take a break from writing an article and decorate the body of the Vespa with his wife's name.
Explaining his action, Dali said that the Italian scooter is a symbol of mobility and therefore freedom.
Cinema played a significant role in this – when the Vespa began to appear in new films, its sales exceeded 100,000 scooters
Cinema played a significant role in this – when the Vespa began to appear in new films, its sales exceeded 100,000 scooters
Incredible success
comes to Vespa
a little later
comes to Vespa
a little later
The artist's signature on the other side of the scooter is now partially erased.
Salvador Dali with the owners of the painted scooter
The painted Vespa is now in the Piaggio Museum in Pontedera.
Celebrated in hundreds of films and thousands of posters, the Vespa has become a full-fledged cultural phenomenon and has captivated millions of people around the world.
The Vespa scooter has remained a style icon and a calling card of the Italian automobile industry for almost 70 years.
la fine!
