Ferdinand Porsche was born in Maffersdorf, Bohemia (now Vratislavice nad Nisou, Czech Republic), the third of five children. His father, Anton Porsche, was a tinsmith. Even as a young boy, Ferdinand showed a remarkable aptitude for mechanics and electricity, often tinkering with and improving the family's belongings, foreshadowing his future as a brilliant engineer.

At the age of 18, Porsche began an apprenticeship with an electrical company in Vienna. His thirst for knowledge and practical skills grew rapidly. During this period, he installed electric lighting in his parents' house, showcasing his growing expertise and foreshadowing his later work with electric and hybrid vehicles.