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This man looks over 69 years old. He slouches, speaks in a low voice, and looks broken. Josef Ganz (1898-1967) is sick, unemployed, in debt and here – in Melbourne, Australia – a lonely nothing. The once controversial auto engineer rebels for the last time. A local newspaper said, “I invented the Volkswagen!” he said he said. But the big car world has long since forgotten him.
It all started with hope, back then in Vienna. In 1910, a newspaper raved about the boy from Austria-Hungary: “The young technician promises to be a famous man.” The boy “Seppl”, pictured in a trendy sailor suit, has developed a protective device for Vienna’s electric trams. The patent is granted to him. Ganz is twelve years old!
From engineer to visionary
“Seppl” becomes Josef Ganz. He studied “Motor-Kritik” in Frankfurt (Germany) and became the editor-in-chief. During car testing, he complains that German automakers are unable to produce either cheap mass-produced vehicles like the Ford T, nor progressive design. So in 1923 he designed the “very small car” with a round body. It was then further developed with a central tube frame, swivel axles and rear engine, making Ganz a sought-after visionary. The Ardie-Ganz prototype was created in 1930 and a two-seat prototype in 1931. Because of its shape, he already calls it “chafer”. Adler is fully patented, designed for big brands like BMW or Mercedes. Standard from Ludwigsburg (Germany) says yes to Ganz’s ideas and advertises Ganz’s new Superior small car as a “German Volkswagen”. One Volkswagen – one for all of us.
Hitler loves Ganz’s work
It’s all someone now. Brilliant engineer believes in progress. He was even pleased that Adolf Hitler (1889–1945) wanted to mobilize the people in the street, as Hitler announced at the 1933 Berlin Motor Show. During the round, the strongman lingers for a long time in Standard Superior. Longing Too long. Is everyone proud? Definitely. He’s Jewish, but he doesn’t care. Yes, a Nazi newspaper once called it “Jewish vermin”. But Ganz bravely defended himself legally. successfully. Still.
The standard did not fail on its own, but fell in the wake of the economic crisis. Then the Gestapo comes. After a month in prison, Ganz is free again. But he is no longer an engineer, just a Jew. Standard and Mercedes are forced to fire him, his name is completely taboo. All becomes invisible. A former customer cautiously warns him that he will not allow Hitler’s Volkswagen to be corrupted by a Jew’s patents.
The insect creeps without the whole
Ganz realizes and flees to Switzerland in 1934. His father once wrote for “NZZ”, Ganz knows the country well and has relatives here. In 1938, the Third Reich revoked his citizenship and all his patents. The Beetle crawls away as a KdF car named after the Nazi labor organization “Strength through Joy”. Developed since 1934 by Ferdinand Porsche (1875–1951) by order of the Führer. Not completely completed. Hitler himself draws a sketch of the new “Volkswagen”. Like all later builds, it’s incredibly similar to Ganz’s Standard Superior.
So Ganz, this lost and determined man, is starting over. Funded by the federal government, Dietikon is currently building a “Swiss Volkswagen” prototype, which will be produced by motor lawnmower brand Rapid. But the Nazis got their way again: In 1939, the Second World War began. From KdF-Volks to Kübelwagen in the German Empire, the car project in Switzerland has been postponed. The arm of the Gestapo reaches as far as Zurich: everything has been reported. The openly anti-Semitic police report in very neutral Switzerland states that this “undesirable stranger” has stolen money from the parties involved. A “parasite” who even drives a car despite a public transport subscription! All this goes to the press. The resulting scandal protects him for now. Just for now: Swiss authorities are in trouble from now on.
Switzerland deports all
After the battle the Rapid starts, but its time runs out: Only 36 of them are built. Ganz has nothing left and isn’t just suing VW. He finally wants his rights, but it’s hard to see. st. At the Moritz GR, the Swiss bobsleigh competed for Olympic gold in 1948 thanks to Ganz’s new runner suspension. Switzerland does not thank him: he was arrested in 1950 under circumstances that are still unclear today. deported! It only has 24 hours.
Others are honored
Josef Ganz gives up. Projects, seeking recognition – and himself… Now a 52-year-old, penniless, unemployed and stateless nobody feels ignored. He just wants to go. As far away as possible. Now in Australia the GM brand is working very quietly for Holden. But the bug is chasing him: In his small Melbourne apartment he rented in 1955, Ganz is reading about the millionth bug. He reads from Mercedes engineer Béla Barényi (1907-1997), who, like Tatra engineer Hans Ledwinka (1878-1967), legally exercises the rank of being one of the Beetle’s many fathers. Ganz is mentioned only as a footnote. If ever.
But then, in 1961, it suddenly seems like a happy ending. The Federal Republic of Germany wants to award him the Federal Medal of Merit – and VW boss Heinrich Nordhoff (1899-1968) writes that he is personally needed as an engineer in Wolfsburg (D). It all shines. After all these years! But that honor has to be denied – an Australian law. Now he at least wants to go to Wolfsburg, but a heart attack knocks him down there. All can no longer be. In 1965 VW is in the ten millionth Beetle. All in depression. The bug runs and runs, finding 21.5 million friends by 2003. Josef Ganz died in 1967 at the age of 69. all alone.
Source: Blick
I’m Ella Sammie, author specializing in the Technology sector. I have been writing for 24 Instatnt News since 2020, and am passionate about staying up to date with the latest developments in this ever-changing industry.
