The very first prototype Volkswagen Beetle was designed and built in 1934, not 1937 — though both dates are important in its history: • 1934: Ferdinand Porsche was commissioned by the German government to design a “people’s car” (Volkswagen). The initial concept drawings and engineering work for what would become the Beetle began that year. • 1936–1937: The first pre-production prototypes were built and tested — known as the VW Type 30 and later the VW Type 38. • 1938: The factory in Wolfsburg w