# From Hitler to Hippies: The Surprising Origins of the VW Beetle | Presenting Business History

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/history-this-week-186536/from-hitler-to-hippies-the-surprising-origins-of-the-vw-beetle-presenting-business-history
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/history-this-week-186536/from-hitler-to-hippies-the-surprising-origins-of-the-vw-beetle-presenting-business-history.md
Podcast: [HISTORY This Week](https://stenobird.com/podcast/history-this-week-186536)
Published: 2026-01-22T09:31:00+00:00
Episode link: http://lnk.to/BHHTW
Audio file: https://pdst.fm/e/tracking.swap.fm/track/v9Uiw3bGr54f6BVZKSyc/pscrb.fm/rss/p/traffic.megaphone.fm/CAD1099292302.mp3?updated=1768936241
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/history-this-week-186536/episodes/from-hitler-to-hippies-the-surprising-origins-of-the-vw-beetle-presenting-business-history
Duration seconds: 2306

## Resource

How did the VW Beetle go from Hitler’s dream car to beloved hippie icon? Today, we’re sharing an episode from a new podcast, Business History. Hosts Jacob Goldstein and Robert Smith bring to life the greatest innovations, the boldest entrepreneurs and the craziest mavericks in the annals of business—and share the lessons we can learn from their successes and failures. In today’s episode: How Hitler launched the Volkswagen Beetle and its journey from Nazi vehicle to bohemian Love Bug. This is part 1 of the Business History series on the Beetle—be sure to head to Business History for part 2. Find Business History wherever you get podcasts. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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## Transcript

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