Ferdinand Porsche

Ferdinand Porsche (German: Ferdinand Porsche; September 3, 1875 - January 30, 1951) was a German automotive engineer and founder of Porsche AG. He created the first gasoline-electric hybrid vehicle (Lohner-Porsche) and the Volkswagen Beetle. The Beetle designed by Porsche and produced by Volkswagen was once the most produced car of the same model design in the world, with a total of 21 million units produced. The sports car originally produced by Porsche Co., Ltd. founded by him and his son Ferry Porsche was also developed from the Beetle. As an important contributor to Nazi Germany's war effort during World War II, Porsche was involved in the production of advanced tanks such as the VK4501(P), the Elephant (originally named "Ferdinand") self-propelled gun and the Maus super-heavy tank, as well as the development of other weapons systems, including the V-1 missile. Porsche was a member of the Nazi Party and the honorary superior leader of the SS. He was awarded the German State Prize for Arts and Sciences, the SS Ring of Honor and the War Cross.