The initial idea for a VW-based van was in 1947, but it wasn’t until 1950 that the officially designated Type 2 appeared. Many different variants were available but the most popular and numerous were the Kombi (Kombinationskraftwagen – a windowed combination of passenger and cargo vehicle, usually referred to as a ‘bus’) and the Camper. Westfalia created most of the latter. Nicknamed ‘Split’ or ‘Splittie’ due to their divided windscreen, VW updated the mechanical side of the vehicles constantly while leaving their looks mostly untouched... at least until 1968.
info from Octane