Karl Probst was an American engineer and inventor who worked for the Willys-Overland Motor Company in Toledo, Ohio. In the 1940s, the United States Army sought a lightweight, general-purpose vehicle suitable for use in World War II. Probst, along with his team of engineers, developed a prototype known as the "Quad."
The Quad featured a four-wheel drive system, high ground clearance, and a versatile design that allowed it to be adapted for various purposes, including troop transport, cargo hauling, and reconnaissance missions. In 1941, the U.S. Army adopted Probst's design, and it was mass-produced as the Willys MB, commonly referred to as the Jeep.
The Jeep became an iconic vehicle of World War II and was used by the military forces of several Allied countries. Its rugged construction, reliability, and versatility made it highly effective for military operations. After the war, the Jeep was adapted for civilian use, leading to the creation of the utility vehicle market as we know it today.
So, while there were earlier attempts at creating utility vehicles, it is Karl Probst's invention of the Willys MB Jeep that is widely recognized as the birth of the modern utility vehicle.
