Piaggio Museum, Florence - Wednesday, June 1st
Piaggio’s Founder Rinaldo Piaggio, founded a company that specialized in helicopters and airplanes that were used in WWII. After the war, his two sons headed separate ways to follow their beliefs (what beliefs?). Enrico Piaggio, decided to leave the aeronautical field altogether to address Italy’s need of a modern and affordable mode of transportation for the masses.
In 1944, two Piaggio engineers (Renzo Spolti and Vittorio Casini) designed the MP5 ("Moto Piaggio no. 5"). The MP5 featured handlebar mounted controls and small wheels that made it different than the motorcycles of the time that were deemed uncomfortable and unreliable.
Unsatisfied with the MP5 model, Enrico decided to consult Ferdinando Innocenti who developed the MP6 model that resembles the iconic Vespa (named after its wasp-like form (in Italian) and noise made from the engine) of today. From the first year of its introduction in 1947, Piaggio sold approximately 2,500 Vespas in that year, over 10,000 in 1948, 20,000 in 1949, and over 60,000 in 1950.
Since then, the shape of the Piaggio’s Vespa has remained the same. Various other versions of motored two wheeled vehicles has since come from the development departments of Piaggio. However, the Vespa itself has become a national icon for the country of Italy and is easily recognized by people around the world.
Piaggio Helicopter that the Vespa’s engine was based off of
The MP5 Prototype
The MP6 model that was the starting point of Vespa
The Vespa TAP 150 was a Vespa modified by the French military used in the Algerian war that can be parachuted from a plane and also incorporates a lightweight 75mm anti-tank cannon that can be taken off and placed on a tripod to be fired.
The Torpedo, a torpedo shaped speed bike with integrated airbrakes that set the world record for land speed at 171km/h in 1951 by Dino Mazzoncini
A helicopter made in 1967 specifically for a "James Bond"-like movie called "Dick Smart, Agent 2.007". In the movie it could dive in the sea, fly like a helicopter and drive like a normal scooter.
Vespa in “business mode” used in the city of Bangkok.
Photo from RazorRobotics.com
Family of four riding on a single Vespa but has been known to hold up to 5 in some Asian areas and Mexico.
Photo by Lawrence Dortch
Image Souces: Vespa Museum in Florence (unless specified otherwise)
Shannon, Victoria, Calvin
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