Messerschmitt AG was a German aircraft manufacturer founded in 1938 by Willy Messerschmitt. The company became well-known for producing innovative military aircraft during World War II, including the famous Messerschmitt Bf 109, which was one of the most widely used fighter planes of the war. After the war, Messerschmitt AG shifted its focus to civilian aviation and aerospace technology. The company played a significant role in the development of various aircraft and contributed to the European aerospace industry, eventually merging with other firms to form part of the larger Daimler-Benz group.