I remember reading an article years ago that those hideous ones with the bubbles and the tiremarks (I think it was called "tiger") were designed by "someone famous". My google-fu is telling me that that person was "German Designer Stephanie Tücking". Perhaps googling that name will help you find a more general history? Good luck! 
Well, Stefanie Tücking is not really famous for design. She was host of a rather popular pop music show on German television (Formel Eins). A bit like top of the pos (_way_ beyond, German tv in the 80ies... oh dear!). Boys like me liked her of course (well, it was the age)...
But I don't think there is a relation between Stefanie Tücking and the original case designer.
