his may sound familiar: One of the world’s richest men—also a charismatic figure skilled at public relations—starts his own privately funded automobile and rocket business, with a goal to revolutionize both fields.
If Fritz von Opel seems like a clone of Elon Musk, there are differences. He worked in the 1920s, not the 2020s. Von Opel inherited his fortune rather than making it himself. Although he has a significant place in the history of rocketry, he was more financier than engineer. And finally, while Musk might actually succeed in transforming space travel, for von Opel it was more of a side interest.
Fritz von Opel, who died 50 years ago this month, was born in 1899. He was the son of Wilhelm von Opel, whose automobile manufacturing business led him to became known as “the Henry Ford of Germany.” After graduating from the Technical University of Darmstadt with a degree in engineering, Fritz was made director of testing for the Opel car works and put in charge of publicity. The latter suited his flamboyant personality, as he was already well known in Germany as a sportsman and winner of speedboat, motorbike, and automobile races.
