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History of Vespa

With roots dating back nearly 120 years, Piaggio has been an innovative spoke in the wheel of transportation and mobilization since the industrialization of the late 1800’s. Founded in 1884 by then twenty-four year old Rinaldo Piaggio in Genoa, Italy, Piaggio’s history in engineering includes luxury ship, rail carriage, luxury coach, truck body, engine and train manufacturing.With World War I looming closer, the company changed focus and began building airplanes and seaplanes. This direction led to the purchase of the Pisa plant in 1917 followed by another plant purchase at Pontedera, in the Tuscany region four years later.

Piaggio factory at Pontedera

Years later during the second World War, Pontedera began producing the P 108 four-engine aircraft for both military and passenger use, however the Plant was short lived - it was leveled by Allied bombers due to its key role in the production of military planes.

In 1945, having to deal with the horrible state of Italy’s roadways, the unstable economy, and under the direction of Rinaldo’s son Enrico Piaggio, the company once again shifted focus towards personal mobility of the Italian public. The Pontedera plant was in ruins and even ceased production at one point. This is when Enrico began working with Corradino D'Ascanio, an aeronautical engineer responsible for the design and construction of the first modern helicopter.

Piaggio Logo

Piaggio factory at Pontedera

Corrandino’s distaste for motorcycles led to his interest to design a simple, sturdy end economical mode of transport that would still appear elegant and ride comfortably. Taking into account the latest in aeronautical technology, he began planning a piece of history, built on a “monocoque” or unibody steel chassis. He imagined aircraft infulueced elements such as the landing gear repurposed as a front fork that remains a distinctive solution to a typical two-wheel vehicle’s design.

Enrico Piaggio’s first reaction was "Sembra una Vespa!" ("It looks like a wasp!"). in the shape of a wasp, the vehicle projected strength, safety, class and elegance. It was quiet and comfortable, unlike its motorbike counterparts.

By the end of 1949, the company had produced over 35,000 units. The landscape of Italy was changing. The war was far behind and by it’s tenth year focused on the scooter, more than a million had been produced. By the mid 1950’s, Vespa’s were being produced in Germany, Great Britain, France, Belgium, Spain, and of course, Italy.

Vespa certainly has a colorful history. From that of a utilitarian form of transport in a time of war and struggle, becoming the two-wheel vehicle of choice in the post war economic boom.

Piaggio factory at Pontedera

With the sixties and seventies, the vehicle became a symbol for the revolutionary ideas of the time. Advertising slogan "He Who Vespas, eats the apple", and feature films such as Quadrophenia have symbolized eras in our history.

The Vespa is one of the most recognizable icons of Italian design, and with more than 16 million produced to date, it’s recognize the world over. Since it’s inception, the Vespa has intrigued millions of people. Today, the models from the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s are highly coveted, and sought after collectors items.

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