Legends of the global automotive industry (16 pics + text) Bashny.Net

Ferdinand Porsche is often called one of the most talented engineers in the history of the automotive industry. He is the creator of "Beetle" - the most mass model in the history of mankind. But the "Beetle" his achievements are not limited.

Interestingly, the great German designer was born September 3, 1875 is not in Germany. Maffersdorf town at that time was on the territory of Austria-Hungary (now Maffersdorf part of the Czech Republic and called Vratislavice nad Nisou). A young boy with his childhood began to show great interest in the technical sciences. One has only to say that in 15 years he built his own generator, through which it was possible to cover the house with the help of light bulbs. And for Maffersdorfa it was unheard of luxury - in those days electricity was only in the house of the mayor of the city.



his professional career Ferdinand Porsche began apprentice tinsmith in the company of his father. But it was clear that the boy is capable of more. That's why Ferdinand went to Vienna and began to attend lectures at the local Technical University. A parallel he works for a small company on the production of electric motors. Of course, not yet designer - a young boy at first instructed to clean the room. But waving a broom, he had a very short time.

Already in 1898, Ferdinand take a job at Lohner, and he immediately started working on serious projects. For example, in 1900 at the Paris Motor Show was shown the car that was said ahead of his time. We are talking about a machine called Lohner-Porsche, which was ... electric vehicle.



Moreover, the electric motors located in the front hub. And that in 1900! Not surprisingly, the brainchild of 25-year old boy was recognized as the best car show. In the same 1900 Porsche finalizes its electric car, equipping it with more and gasoline engine. That is, in fact, Porsche has built the world's first hybrid!

After that the meteoric rise of Ferdinand career. In 1906, he became technical director of Austro-Daimler. At the age of 31, he is responsible for the entire range of the huge automotive company.

While Ferdinand was really happy. He has a favorite work, a large group of like-minded people, have all the necessary tools to create new machines. And with the personal life Ferdinand full order - in 1903 he married a beautiful girl Aloysia Kayes, who met for several years. Soon the young family appears addition - a girl named Louise. And six years after the marriage Aloysius gave her husband also a boy who decided to call in honor of his father Ferdinand. And in order to avoid confusion, the child in the family became known not only as Ferry - later it will become automobile designer, and not less talented than his father (by the way, the name of Ferdinand Porsche family are so coveted that they even named his son Ferry Porsche, who earned the nickname Butz).



After Ferdinand was the technical manager of Austro-Daimler, it became clear that most engineers draw sports cars. He is building a large number of racing cars, which gradually begin to go faster and faster. Come and win. If in 1909 in the race for the prizes of Prince Henry's car designed by Ferdinand finished second, then in 1910, a team of Austro-Daimler celebrated the ultimate victory - the first three places. Moreover, in this race Ferdinand distinguished himself also as a talented pilot, after driving the first car he was sitting by myself! There is another interesting fact - a mechanic Ferdinand Porsche in the race was a young man named Joseph, who would later become famous as the leader of Yugoslavia, Josip Broz Tito.



After World War I, Ferdinand moved from Austria to Germany in Stuttgart, Germany and became technical director has the entire group Daimler. There he creates cars that make the brand Mercedes has become so famous. It is on account of his many famous compressor Mercedes 20-ies!



But Daimler did not top of his career Ferdinand. After several years of work on this concern Porsche decided to resign from there and set up his own firm. So in 1931, the company appears with a rather long but clear title: "Design and consultation on the development of engines and automotive industry." Shortcomings in orders Ferdinand was not, after all the time he is perhaps the most famous automobile designer in Europe.



Moreover, Ferdinand Porsche was even invited to become a minister of the USSR .... Yes, this is no joke. In 1932, Ferdinand Porsche and his son at the invitation of Stalin visited Soviet Russia. In the literal comfortable car they go round all the big Soviet construction 30s. Apparently, Stalin wanted to hit Porsche scale and future prospects, as Ferdinand advance given carte blanche to any work. But Porsche has decided not to tie their fate with Russia.



In the early 30s, Ferdinand began to study the creation of his most famous creation - the people's car. First commissioned to design cheap cars it gives motorcycle company Zundapp, however, this project due to lack of funds was soon collapsed. But after the appearance on the political horizon of the National Socialists project car for the common people regained their development. In 1934, Ferdinand voiced his idea to create a Volks-Wagen, which was supported by the new authorities in Germany. "The German workers will not get to work on foot. Thanks to National Socialism, they get their own car, "- shouted Hitler during his performances.



Already in 1935, Ferdinand shows the first running instances of the new car, and in 1936 started construction of a plant for the production of this model. And, for its creation was organized to raise funds from the common people. Developed by the National Socialists program provided that each week will be working to transfer to a special account 5 marks. And after 3 years and 8 months, he would have accumulated 990 brands, for which he could buy a car called the KdF («Strength through Joy»).



More than 300,000 Germans believed that over 990 brands of new German authorities will be able to give them a new car. However, their hopes for a brighter future car did not come true. The Second World, and those few hundred KDF, who managed to collect, were transferred to the leaders of the Third Reich.



It is interesting that after the end of the war, many investors have demanded from the Volkswagen their cars, which they have accumulated those same 990 brands. However, to get them from the manufacturer of the machine and failed - Volkswagen could only provide deceived investors discount.

Sometimes you can hear that Porsche really helped Nazi Germany in the war. Like, it was he who invented the tank "Tiger" and "Royal Tiger».



In 1944, Soviet newspapers even published an article where it was written, August 12, Second Lieutenant A. Os'kin knocked out the latest "Royal Tiger", driven by Ferdinand Porsche. Like, arrogant designer was so confident in his tank invulnerability that even he sat at the controls of combat vehicle (journalists not embarrassed that Porsche in 1944 was 69 years old). However, a careful study of the question tells us that talented designer simply do not get to do military equipment! Yes, Porsche Design Bureau took part in the tender for the production of this machine, however, created by Ferdinand sample proved to be worse than the tank from the company Henschel. And the so-called "King Tiger" Porsche only develops only one of the variants of the tower.



And it turns out that because of heavy equipment on account of Porsche has just not too successful self-propelled gun "Ferdinand" (was made only 90 such machines) and two huge tanks Maus («Mouse»).

What Ferdinand did this giant weighing 180 tons is still not clear, after all tank development experts were against the creation of such a machine - most of the bridges simply would not sustain his weight. There were collected two "mouse" that in 1945 the Germans blew up when the Soviet troops (later one of the monsters was rebuilt our engineers - Maus now stands in the military museum in Kubinka).



Defeat in the war painful blow to the family Porsche. And not just because the Allies bombed the headquarters of designers, resulting in a fire killed the entire archive of drawings. In 1945, the French authorities decided to arrest the father and son Porsche - they were accused that they collaborated with the Nazi regime used the labor of prisoners of war and the Gestapo betrayed the Resistance fighters who tried to sabotage the production of military vehicles.

In 1946, Ferry Porsche decided to let go free, after which he promptly develops a race car for the Italian company Cisitalia, and all received money for it (1 million. Francs) transmits to the French authorities as a ransom for his father. Besides himself behind bars Ferdinand did not sit idly by. He also worked - according to rumors, it was Porsche, Renault has helped create a model 4CV.



Ferdinand Porsche Sr. was in prison for a total ease 22 months, with no charge to him in the end and did not show. And finding behind bars finally undermined his health. Moreover, when Ferdinand was imprisoned, to him for some reason did not allow experienced doctors. And when Porsche became very weak, the doctor still allowed to inspect engineer. Aesculap demanded the immediate release of the patient to freedom, because it was quite obvious that an older person to live only a few months.



Prediction came true. November 19, 1950 Ferdinand Porsche suffered a stroke, and January 30, 1951 his heart stopped. However, until this moment, Porsche has had a few happy moments. He could see how really started mass production of its "Zhukov". And, most importantly, he and his son had to build a car, which was called 356. It was the first production car new company Porsche!