Hitler and the Autobahn

“Autobahn” is the fourth studio album by the German music band Kraftwerk. But as interesting as that little tidbit is, we’re more concerned with the better-known Autobahn, Germany’s federal controlled-access highway system. A popular myth surrounding the motorway is that Adolf Hitler invented it.

Of course, Hitler was many things. But nowhere in history books is he referred to as an engineer. Another reason why that piece of historical fiction makes no sense is that work on the Autobahn began in 1913 on the outskirts of Berlin. And Hitler came into power 20 years later and appropriated elements of the plan later to increase his influence.