Karl Probst
American automotive pioneer
Died when: 79 years 309 days (958 months)Star Sign: Libra
Karl Probst (20 October 1883 – 25 August 1963) was an American freelance engineer and automotive pioneer, credited with drafting the design drawings of the first prototype of the Bantam Reconnaissance Car, also known as the World War II "jeep" in 1940.
He was born in Point Pleasant, West Virginia to Charles and Eva (Knight) Probst.He studied engineering at Ohio State University and graduated in 1906.
Probst was recruited by American Bantam Car Company in 1940 to help it win a contract to provide the U.S.
Army with a lightweight reconnaissance vehicle that could transport troops and equipment across rugged terrain.Bantam had provided the specifications to the Army, and Probst drafted the design for the Jeep in two days, commencing on 17 June 1940, Bantam's first hand-built prototype was complete and running by September 21, 1940, just meeting the 49-day deadline and was delivered to the Army Quartermaster Corps for testing at Camp Holabird, MD.
He died in Dayton, Ohio.
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