Thanks to the movie Vacanze Romane, which won three Oscars in 1954 and was translated into our language as Roman Holiday, Vespas became one of the cult symbols of Italy. The person who designed the first Vespa was a genius engineer who adored helicopters and disliked motorcycles.
Corradino D'Ascanio was born on February 1, 1891, in Italy. Known as an aeronautical engineer, D'Ascanio made a name for himself with his inventions and gained a well-deserved reputation in the global sense.
Typically an aeronautical engineer and unable to tolerate motorcycles, D'Ascanio has drawn attention with the brand-new vehicles he has designed. D'Ascanio, who used his knowledge and experience especially in the field of aeronautical engineering to create new vehicles, designed a two-wheeled vehicle with a body and manually changeable gears.
General Corradino D'Ascanio (1 February 1891 in Popoli, Pescara – 6 August 1981 in Pisa) was an Italian aeronautical engineer. D'Ascanio designed the first production helicopter, for Agusta, and designed the first motor scooter for Ferdinando Innocenti. After the two fell out, D'Ascanio helped Enrico Piaggio produce the original Vespa.
The Italian scientist also mounted the engine on the rear wheel. In April 1946, the first 15 Vespas were produced in Pontedera. Known as the first Vespa, its twin-stroke 98cc engine could produce 3.5 horsepower at 4500 rpm. In addition, this vehicle was known to have three gears and could reach up to 60 kilometers per hour.
The vehicles he designed were unlike any other.
Designed by D'Ascanio, the two-wheeled transportation vehicle did not resemble noisy motorcycles at all and was appreciated for its originality as well as its elegant structure. These designs also caused Italy to be defined as the “Vespa country” and became the subject of popular movies.
The vehicles, which attract the attention of people from all walks of life, have become available from 7 to 70. Those who want to go to work, and those who want to go out, have defined the most rational solution as using Vespa. On the other hand, as the Vespa became more widespread, it became not only a "scooter" but also a philosophy of life.
Vespa, which has been a social phenomenon for many years and deeply affects Italian society, has prevented commercial success or invention. The vehicle, in which the youth showed great interest in the 60s and 70s, has been on the market for many years with its unique style. The transportation vehicle, whose image is always renewed, is identified with the name Corradino D'Ascanio, who died on August 6, 1981.