Jeep

In 1940, the world was at war. America was not in it yet, but the Army knew it was coming. They needed something they had never needed before. A lightweight reconnaissance vehicle that could go anywhere. Climb anything. Survive everything. They sent letters to 135 companies. The deadline was insane. Forty-nine days to deliver a working prototype. Most companies laughed. Two did not. American Bantam, a tiny company practically bankrupt, said yes. They pulled in a freelance designer named Karl Probst, who worked for free at first because there was no money to pay him. In two days, he laid out the full plans. In forty-nine days, the first prototype was ready . Willys-Overland and Ford joined later. Each built their own versions. The Willys Quad. The Ford Pygmy. The Bantam BRC. The Army tested them ... More