How was the Vespa Piaggio born?

The war had just ended. In Italy there were many economic problems, little money and a great desire to leave again. The company was going through a delicate and somewhat difficult moment as the production facilities had been heavily damaged. There was therefore no possibility of producing aircraft, but there was the will to save undamaged machinery and create something innovative. People needed something low cost and completely innovative and so they tried to make that wish come true.

On 23 April 1946 Enrico Piaggio and the aeronautical engineer Corradino D'Ascanio, the father of the Vespa, set to work together. Piaggio does not like the Donald Duck prophet and so it is up to D'Ascanio to continue working. Step by step, drawing after drawing, D'Ascanio, not very fond of motorcycles, comes to design the first scooter with a load-bearing body with a gearbox on the handlebar. It is a particular motorcycle that uses the starter engine of an airplane.

The birth of the name Vespa

Once D'Ascanio has made the first model, it is up to Piaggio to find an appropriate name. The brilliant idea seems to come naturally. No creative process. No sleepless nights to search for the most appropriate word.

It is said that, looking at the scooter, Enrico Piaggio exclaimed: "It looks like a Vespa".

Here is the right name. Moreover, Vespa is also liked for communication and advertising campaigns. People liked it so much that in the 50s the slogan Vespizzatevi was launched!

The success, the crisis and then the rebirth of the Piaggio Vespa

The first Vespa made its debut at the Circolo Golf in Rome under the eyes of the American general Stone. The people, on the other hand, managed to admire it shortly after, on the occasion of the Milan Fair.

People like the idea of ​​the Vespa immensely. Success is guaranteed and immense. Directors fall in love with two wheels and cinema contributes to the creation of the myth also thanks to the film with Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn walking around Rome on a Vespa.

The golden period begins to suffer a setback around the first half of the 60s. Within the Piaggio family there are various alternations and marriages that lead the company to split up and end up in the hands of the Agnelli.

The first problems begin to make themselves felt and the period of strikes arrives in the company. The workers, on a war footing, cross their arms for a long time. The strike seems very hard and in this period Enrico Piaggio passes away. On the day of his death, however, the strike ends and in the factory there is only a big and gloomy silence. All Pondera participates in the public funeral. In fact, no one can forget how well Piaggio did the city.

Time passes. Due to another mourning, the Agnellis lose interest in the company and sell it to Roberto Colaninno. Piaggio is thus living a new golden age by becoming the parent company of motorcycle companies such as: Laverda, Aprilia and Moto Guzzi.