When you
say the word 'scooter' to almost anyone, it will likely conjure up a rather
distinctive image in their minds: that of steel Vespa. The Vespa is certainly
the most iconic scooter in the world. It has become both a practical solution
and a fashion statement across continents with a distinctly Italian identity. So
what is it that makes the Vespa the world's most iconic scooter?
The
Creation of the Vespa
As bmgscooters.com explains, the Vespa
was first created after the second world war, and it quickly brought mobility
to the masses. In the aftermath of the second world war, the Italian economy
was left crippled, and the roads across the country were perilous. This made it
difficult for traditional auto manufactures to thrive. Simply put, Italians
were in desperate need of modern and affordable transportation.
Enrico Piaggio came up with the idea for the first Vespa, as he realized
the need for Italians to have a reliable and inexpensive mode of
transportation. The first Vespa was created out of spare parts used for airplanes
and was designed by Corradino D'Ascanio. The name Vespa meant
wasp in Italian and was inspired by the look and sound of the first model.
Legend has it that the scooter was originally going to be called 'paperino',
which means duck but was changed to Vespa when Enrico Piaggio saw the first
model.
An Instant
Sensation
The Vespa
was an instant hit, not just with Italians but all across Europe. By 1956, just
over ten years after the Vespa was created, a record one million models had
been sold. The Vespa was particularly successful due to the savvy marketing
team that realized the value of the female market. The Vespa was marketed
towards women as a clean and easy-to-use travel solution. Easy to operate and relatively
cheap, the Vespa could zip through traffic in crowded streets. The Vespa seemed
perfectly designed to embody the values of freedom and effortless style that
still make it so iconic to this day.
A Cult
Icon
Before too
long, Vespas were being transported to America, where they quickly becamea Hollywood favorite. The
stylish romantic feel of the Vespa made it the perfect choice for films such as
the 1953 Roman Holiday starring Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck and Antia
Ekberg's La Dolce Vita. The use of the Vespa by stars such as Charlton Heston
and Stephen Boyd allowed it to drop some of the slightly feminine reputations
that had been growing.
Although
the Vespa was a very popular choice throughout Europe, Hollywood's love affair
with the Vespa was what sealed the deal. The use of the Vespa by movie stars
and in popular films sealed its fate as the most iconic scooter of all time.
Years
after the first Vespa was created, the iconic, timeless, iconic style of the
bike remains. Beloved for its design, feel, and practicality, the Vespa firmly
holds onto its crown as the most iconic scooter brand of all time.
