Thursday 14th February 1878

Born on this day, Hans Ledwinka, Austrian born Czechoslovak automobile designer, known for his innovation regarding both – technology and aesthetics. He invented the frameless central tubular chassis (so-called “backbone chassis”) with swing axles, fully independent suspension and rear-mounted air-cooled flat engine. Under him, Tatra brought to market the first streamlined cars that had been mass-produced. Together with his son Erich, who took over as chief designer at Tatra, Ledwinka and Erich Übelacker, a German engineer also employed by Tatra, designed the streamlined Tatra models T77, T77a, T87, and T97. All of these models had rear mounted, air-cooled engines.