Enrico Piaggio - Vespa(2019) Site

On April 23, 1948, Vespa was officially launched at the Turin Motor Show. The scooter was an instant success, thanks to its innovative design, ease of use, and affordability. The initial model, Vespa 98, was priced at 125,000 lire, approximately $275 USD at the time.

In 1946, Enrico Piaggio, the son of Italian industrialist Ruggiero Piaggio, faced a daunting challenge. His family's company, Piaggio & C., was struggling to recover from the devastation of World War II. The company's factory in Pontedera, Italy, had been bombed, and its workforce was dwindling. Enrico Piaggio - Vespa(2019)

Enrico Piaggio's inspiration for Vespa came from an unexpected source: a paperclip. During a meeting with his team, he sketched a simple, minimalist design for a scooter, using a paperclip as a makeshift frame. The paperclip's curves and lines influenced the Vespa's iconic shape. On April 23, 1948, Vespa was officially launched