On January 30, 1951, Ferdinand Porsche, one of the most influential figures in automotive history, passed away at the age of 75. A native of Austria, Porsche was initially an automobile engineer before founding his namesake automotive design and engineering firm in 1931. During this period, he worked extensively on leading edge automobile innovations, overseeing the design and development of the Porsche Type 64, one of the earliest attempts at a modern sports car. Utilizing his skills in vehicle engineering, Porsche was contracted by the German government prior to World War II to develop military vehicles. His crowning achievement in this respect was the design and production of the legendary Volkswagen Beetle. He also developed the Tiger I and Tiger II tanks, four-engine bomber aircraft, and a variety of other military vehicles for use by the German forces. In addition to his automotive engineering accomplishments, Porsche was also an avid motorsport competitor throughout his lifetime, participating in races throughout Europe. He is also remembered for bidding on, and receiving, the contract to design the revolutionary 917 race car. Though gone, Ferdinand Porsche's legacy will remain both in the burgeoning automobile industry and in the engineering halls of fame.