ALEC ISSIGONIS was born
in 1906 in Izmir, Turkey. His mother was German and his father was Greek
with British citizenship. Issigonis didn’t go to school. He was taught
by a private teacher at home. After the First World War, the family
moved to Britain, and Issigonis studied engineering. He was already a
good designer but he couldn’t do maths. He failed his maths exam three
times at technical college! He worked for a number of car manufacturers
before joining Morris in 1936. After the Second World War he design the
Morris Minor, the first British car to sell over a million. In 1956 he
joined the British Motor Corporation. In that year the Suez Crisis
caused petrol shortages in Europe, so everyone wanted cars that did not
use much petrol. Issigonis was asked to design a small economical car
that could take four passengers. The result was the Mini. Issigonis had
complete control over the design of the Mini. He was an arrogant man who
did not like to listen to other people. For example, he was told that
all modern cars should have radios and seat belts. But he did not listen
to the radio himself or wear seat belts, so he refused to put them in
the first Minis. Later he changed his mind and seat belts and radios
were added. He saw himself as an artist rather than a scientist. He once
said, ‘Mathematics is the enemy of every truly creative man.’ Issigonis
always followed his instincts. Luckily, they were usually right!
About MINI. First of all he decided that the Mini should be three meters
long, half a meter shorter than most small cars. Next, the wheels were
made much smaller, with independent suspension. And they were put right
at the four corners of the car. Then, the engine was turned sideways,
and the gearbox was put underneath. Most space was saved by having
front-wheel drive. And there was still room for four passengers. In 1959
this design was revolutionary. Today nearly every small car is based on
the design of Mini.
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