From Hitler to Hippies: The Surprising Origins of the VW Beetle | Presenting Business History

The podcast "Business History" explores the unexpected origins of the Volkswagen Beetle in Nazi Germany. It highlights Hitler's ambition to create an affordable "people's car" (Volkswagen) to unite Germany and prepare for war. Facing resistance from private car manufacturers, Hitler turned to the German Labour Front, enlisting Ferdinand Porsche to design the car and build the factory. The podcast details Porsche's visit to Henry Ford's factory to learn about mass production. It also reveals the dark side of the project, including the use of enslaved laborers and the tragic deaths of babies born to these workers. The episode concludes with the Allies' victory and the destruction of the Volkswagen factory, setting the stage for the Beetle's post-war reinvention.