Characterized by the typical scooter step-through frame, and using a twin cylinder water-cooled engine, the Hildebrand & Wolfmueller, though not a significant commercial success, nevertheless led the way in shifting from pedal to power driven transportation. It was not until after WWII, however, that further progress was made. The modern motor scooter tracks to France in 1902, where a French inventor designed the auto-fauteuil.
The auto-fauteuil maintains the step-through frame and a rudimentary engine in the back. From 1902 to 1935 the history of the motor scooter in America basically follows small scooter firms that were lackluster in performance. In 1936, Salsbury introduced the Motor Glide, which was the beginning of the motor scooter craze in the United States.
Cushman, a competitor, developed the similar Auto-Glide and a fierce competition developed between the two.
There were developments such as self-shifting transmission (1938) and new sleeker models like the Salsbury Model 85 (1948) but for motor scooters, no great history continued to happen in the United States. In Italy, the Second World War brought the economic situation into disarray. Many of the large factories which had made weapons were forced to change over to new products including the motor scooter.
Piaggio, a former military aircraft firm, was directed by Corradino d'Asciano towards a new motor scooter, the Vespa. Check out this video from 1990 on the history of The Vespa. The Vespa had many new features, easy-to-change tires, better protections from the elements, and a hidden engine. This new motor scooter was well ahead of its time in history.
The Vespa was originally made of pressed steel to help utilize stock from the war and made solely in Italy. In just a few short years, however, Vespa production had spread throughout Europe (Germany, France, and England) and into Asia (India). Each manufacturer helped to shape the history of motor scooters in their respective regions. In the late 1950's and early 1960's two more scooter makers in history began production of motor scooters. These were the 1958 Honda Cub and the 1960 Harley Davidson Topper (which was the only scooter with the Harley Davidson signature).
The Honda Cub, known as the big little giant, has gone through some minor changes, but is in essence still produced today the same way it was in the 1950's. The Honda Cub motor scooter has sold over 50 million units in its 50 year history.
Most people think scoots are most popular in Italy....WRONG.
More scoots have been sold in Asia than anywhere else on the planet. In some Asian countries, the population owns more of these fuel-efficient, relatively cheap motor scooters than they do cars. Buying a motor scooter can save you a lot of money and is something to look into. You can’t go wrong with owning a scooter. And I don’t think there exists a person who has been on a scooter and hasn’t fallen in love with it!
LTD!
