Vespa Motor Scooters

• Piaggio, an Italian company, made bomber aircraft during World War II, but the factory was destroyed during the war. Enrico Piaggio, son of the company's founder, shifted Piaggio's focus to personal transportation. He tasked engineer Corradino D'Ascanio, credited with designing the first helicopter, to come up with the design for an affordable motorized vehicle driveable over the crowded streets of Italy. When D'Ascanio showed his model to Piaggio, Piaggio reportedly exclaimed, "Sembra una vespa," translated "It looks like a wasp." The name "Vespa" stuck. Piaggio introduced its first scooter in 1946. By the mid 1950s, they were exported across Europe and America.
  
  

Lambretta Motor Scooters

• Another Italian company, Lambretta, began manufacturing scooters shortly after World War II. Company founder Ferdinando Innocenti wanted to make a vehicle similar to the motorcycle, but one that cost less and better protected the rider from the weather. The Lambretta A was introduced with a single-cylinder, two-stroke 123 cc engine that got 120 mpg. The Lambretta A also included a windshield.
  
  

Cushman Motor Scooters

• Cushman Motor Works of Lincoln Nebraska manufactured scooters from 1936 until 1965. In 1944, Cushman made the Model 53 Airborne Scooter for the U.S. military and designed to be parachuted into action. After the war, Cushman turned to marketing scooters to the general population. Throughout the 1950s, Cushman offered the 60 Series, Cast Iron Eagle and Super Eagle.
  
  

Other Notable Scooters of the 1950s

• The Italians set the pace for motor scooter style during the 1950s, but they weren't the only ones manufacturing scooters. Other notable models include the Fuji Rabbit. Manufactured in Japan and exported to North America, the Rabbit was in production from 1946 until the late 1960s. It had more advanced technology than the Italian scooters, including an electric starter. Two German companies stand out for their 1950s era scooters. The Heinkel Aircraft Works turned to scooter production after the war and introduced the Tourist in 1953. The Tourist models were marketed as luxury scooters. They had four-stroke engines and a spare tire. Made by the German motorcycle manufacturer Maicoletta the Maicoletta scooter was larger than the Italian models and capable of speeds 10 to 15 miles per hours faster. The Salsbury company of Oakland California also manufactured scooters during this time. Salsbury models were noted for their futuristic styling.