Ferdinand Porsche

Dr. Ing. hc Ferdinand Porsche was famous German designer with Czech roots, which laid the foundations of the famous car company bearing his name. However, this led to a long way FerdinaPo father had to take plumbing workshop. Instead, they began to form one of the most amazing life stories.

Date of birth: / date of death: 03 09th 1875 / 30. The 1st 1951

Porsche founder, chief designer of the legendary VW Beetle, a number of German combat vehicles (Tiger I and II., KdF, Maus super heavy tank).

Ferdinand Porsche was born in the family plumber third September 1875 in Vratislavice over Nisou (German Maffersdorf) and its 59 years have Czech citizenship. The name Porsche is probably the shape of German Czech name "Boreš" or too "Boresh". My father wanted to teach the young Ferdinand metalworkers and took after the workshop. Not Liberec patron and industrialist Ignaz Ginzkeyho that Anton Ferdinand's father finally convinced the world would be poorer and a lot of beautiful fast cars.

Ferdinand Porsche eventually graduated from the School of Mechanical Engineering in Liberec. It must be noted that the local teachers had a total negative opinion of his technical knowledge, which is reflected in Ferdinand benefit. His innate talent but could not be long to wait. Ferdinand Porsche had a great fondness for electric and reportedly at the age of 15 years, electrified the father's house. In his 18 years he went to Vienna, where he secretly attended lectures in the evenings the local technical university. It was also his only college education. Later, in 1916 in the middle of the first World War I came to this university honorary doctorate.

As an employee at Jacob Lohner constructed in 1900 for its time a revolutionary electric car. Revolutionary concept store has been above the center of the wheel motors. The electric car even humbled many speed records. Already 100 years ago were heavy battery limit for the further development of electric cars and eventually got through expensive development firm Jacob Lohner in economic matters. At that time, however, most respected designer of the Porsche of Austria-Hungary, and so he left in 1906. Meanwhile, his daughter Luisa, and five years later (in 1909) son of Ernest Ferdinand Anton Porsche, later known as the Ferry.

Porsche electric vehicle designed for the firm Jacob Lohner & Co.

In 1906 Ferdinand Porsche joined the firm Aust-Daimler as chief designer. There are mainly devoted to sports and racing cars. At that time, was himself an active racing driver. For example. in 1910 he won the Prize of Prince Henry. Due to disagreement on the concept car, the company Austro-Daimler in 1923 and starts to leave the Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft in Stuttgart. As a technical member of the board and the editor constructed many successful racing cars, racing lines dominating 20th years. Among others the legendary Mercedes SS and SSK. During World War II receives honorary doctorate at the University, by the way, which twenty years ago, secretly attended.

For frequent disagreements with the management company, where he worked, Ferdinand Porsche 25th April 1931 to start his own construction company and retreating to the best of German engineers and his son Ferry. With the advent of Hitler to power Porsche gets the task to construct a popular car, the Volks Wagen. Factory for its production was in Wolfsburg, where VW is based society today.

Porsche design people's car - the future VW Beetle

Porsche successes strengthen confidence in Hitler and Porsche has become one of his arms advisors. Under his leadership, starting from the factory in Wolfsburg go down the line of military vehicles KdF Kübelwagen. Porsche also constructed tanks Tiger I and II., The pride of the German army. Furthermore, the tank destroyer Ferdinand and Maus super heavy tank.

Porsche car combat KdF Kübelwagen

After the war, Ferdinand Porsche was given 22 months in prison for collaboration with the Nazis. It was during this time his son Ferry starting up his own production of the first car under the name of Porsche 356 This sports car has had many common elements with the legendary Beetle that Porsche also suggested.

Porsche's own production of the first vehicle 356

Great success with his sports car Ferdinand was forthcoming. In 1951, Ferdinand Porsche died as a result of stroke, shortly after he came off the first production car from Porsche 356 production line.

Porsche 356 sports coupe

Legacy:

Porsche founded together with his son Ferry (1909-1998) is one of the largest producers of sports cars. Daughter Louise Piëchová (1904-1999) led from 1952 to 1971 Porsche company. His grandson Ferdinand Alexander Porsche (1935 - *) constructed the most famous model Porsche 911, and rather tended to design. He founded the company because Porsche Desing GmbH. Another of his grandson, Ferdinand Piëch (1937 - *) was chairman of Volkswagen. Porsche AG owns 18.5% of ordinary shares in Volkswagen AG.

The greatest structural achievements:
▪ gearless motor, located in hub electric signs ▪ Jacob Lohner
▪ compressor engine for the famous Mercedes SSK
▪ synchronization gear type, called Porsche synchronization
▪ suspension chassis with torsion bar

Text: John Sajdl
Photo: www.ot-park.com, www.butzi.cz, www.airdrive.de, www.hybrid-vehicle.org
Keywords: designer, famous designers, Ferdinand Porsche