Georges Gauthier
It is generally believed that the scooter originated in 1945, but it was in 1902 that the Frenchman Georges Gauthier gave the world a motorcyle under the name "Autofauteuil" (autoseat) which had small diameter wheels with an open body permitting the driver to sit; also protected by a knee plate, it was definitely a scooter. It was manufactured until 1914.
Subsequently, other models were mad but it was in 1946 that the Italian Vespa became popular followed by a slow period until Peugeot in cooperation with Honda developped the modern scooter in 1982.
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