6. The people’s car in pre-World War II Germany
It is a widespread myth that Adolf Hitler’s leadership led to the construction of the German Autobahn. Construction of the highways began in the 1920s during the Weimar Republic. Nor were they intended to be used primarily by the military, the Wehrmacht moved men and materials long distances by train. But the Nazi leadership enthusiastically endorsed construction when they came to power in 1933. Hitler envisioned the new highways allowing German citizens to move about freely, for work and for leisure. To do that a new automobile was needed. Hitler wanted a car which was simple, low maintenance, and affordable, much like Henry Ford’s (whom Hitler greatly admired) Model T had been. He directed Ferdinand Porsche to develop such a car, and the automotive engineer and pioneer went to work. It was der Fuhrer who insisted the car be air-cooled, and that it could transport two adults and three children at autobahn speeds.
Porsche complied. Numerous pre-production models appeared before Germany invaded Poland in 1939. In 1938 a factory and a supporting factory town were built to produce Volkswagens. About 200 or so of the cars were built before the war began and the factory shifted to wartime production for the Wehrmacht. Post-war, with primarily British support, the factory returned to production of the Volkswagen (People’s Car) Beetle. Production for civilian consumption resumed in 1947. By 1972, the Volkswagen Beetle was arguably the most easily recognizable automobile in the world. It could carry two adults and three children (if they were small), was air-cooled, affordable to purchase and simple to maintain. Volkswagen became one of the world’s largest automobile manufacturers, and one of the most well-known brand names. In the 1960s their advertising earned numerous awards through poking fun at themselves and the seemingly ubiquitous Beetle.