Enzo Ferrari, the man who endowed his name to one of the world's most recognizable luxury brands didn't brandish his name from the moment he first worked with cars. Inspired by racing. He worked for Alfa Romeo in the 1930s but was unable to sign off any car built or developed with his credentials until a non-compete agreement had expired in 1947. Falling out with his employers but still passionate about race cars, Ferrari took to producing and showcasing them with the help of race driver Luigi Chinetti. While successful on the track, Chinetti also introduced Ferrari to the US, where he discovered that clients in the richest country in the world loved the elegant, agile and sophisticated feel of Enzo's machines. Chinetti then encouraged the founder to build sports cars. For the company to expand and invest in road cars, Enzo re-approached Fiat in 1969; a company which had refused to hire him in the past. Fiat took a 50% stake in Ferrari and the partnership lasted four decades, with the latter retaining the right to use its own name. Since Enzo's death, the now independent Ferrari corporation (Società per azioni), has gone from strengths to strengths in motorsports and luxury car manufacture. They also have a merchandising branch which bestows the Ferrari name to clothes, perfume, jewelry and even an amusement park.