L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30 2023 www.italoamericano.org 16 L'Italo-Americano G iovanni Bat- tista Pirelli, a visionary young e n g i n e e r , founded Pirelli in Milan in 1872, initially spe- cializing in rubber and deriv- ative processes, including the production of scuba diving rebreathers. As the 20th cen- tury progressed, the company a s t u t e l y s h i f t e d i t s f o c u s towards the burgeoning fields of tire production and cables for energy and telecommuni- cations, aligning itself with the rapid advancements in motor vehicles and telecom- m u n i c a t i o n n e t w o r k s . B y the 1950s, Pirelli was a pow- e r f u l a n d i n t e r n a t i o n a l l y known name of our Made in Italy, a success the company underscored by commission- ing the Pirelli Tower in Milan, an architectural sym- bol near the original factory site, epitomizing the compa- ny's commitment to moder- nity. A h a l l m a r k o f P i r e l l i ' s innovation came in 1974 with the invention of the wide radial tire, a groundbreak- ing response to the Lancia rally team's need for robust tires for the powerful Lancia S t r a t o s . T h i s i n n o v a t i o n caught the attention of auto- motive giants like Porsche, which adopted it for the 911 Turbo. P i r e l l i ' s t r a j e c t o r y o f growth and diversification throughout the late 20th and early 21st centuries is marked by a series of strategic moves and significant acquisitions. In 1988, one such notable acquisition was the Arm- strong Rubber Company, which bolstered Pirelli's posi- tion in the tire industry. As t h e 2 1 s t c e n t u r y d a w n e d , Pirelli took decisive steps to refocus its business model, divesting its terrestrial fiber optic cables business to Cisco and its optical components operations to Corning. This significant transaction, val- ued at 5 billion euros, was a strategic pivot that facilitated P i r e l l i ' s f o r a y i n t o t h e telecommunications sector. It e n a b l e d t h e c o m p a n y t o become a majority sharehold- er in Telecom Italia in 2001, a p o s i t i o n i t r e t a i n e d u n t i l 2007, marking a significant period in the company's his- tory. In the early 2000s, Pirelli further broadened its brand beyond the tire and automo- tive sectors. This period saw the introduction of a range of Pirelli-branded prod- u c t s , i n c l u d i n g c l o t h i n g , watches, and eyewear, show- casing the company's ability to diversify its product offer- ings while maintaining its c o r e b r a n d i d e n t i t y . B u t Pirelli continued to strength- en its global manufacturing capabilities, at the same time: n o t a b l y , t h e c o m p a n y expanded its tire production capacity with the opening of its first tire production plant in China in 2005, followed by a new facility in Romania in 2006. These expansions were critical in reinforcing Pirelli's global footprint and enhanc- ing its capacity to meet the growing demand for its prod- ucts in various international markets. Over the past few years, Pirelli has maintained a con- sistent focus on innovation and diversification of its product lines, marking its presence in various sectors with new and advanced offer- ings. In 2017, the company made a significant re-entry into the cycling world with the launch of P ZERO Velo, a new range of road cycling tires. This move not only expanded Pirelli's product portfolio but also signified a return to a market where the brand had historical roots. Continuing this momentum in product innovation, 2019 s a w P i r e l l i a n n o u n c e t h e introduction of a new range of m o u n t a i n b i k i n g t i r e s named Scorpion, an addi- tion that catered to a growing segment of outdoor sports enthusiasts, further broaden- ing the company's reach in the cycling tire market. In 2021, Pirelli once again demonstrated its commit- ment to innovation in high- performance sectors by intro- ducing 18-inch tires. This development was in line with the new aerodynamic and technical regulations set for the 2022 season in Formula One. This introduction should be read as the continuation of Pirelli's long-standing associ- ation with motorsport, par- ticularly Formula One, where the company has been a piv- otal player as a tire supplier. Moreover, the move under- scored Pirelli's dedication to advancing its products in line with the latest technological t r e n d s a n d s t a n d a r d s i n motorsport, further cement- ing its reputation as a leader i n h i g h - p e r f o r m a n c e t i r e manufacturing. Today, Pirelli is a symbol of Italian excellence and the embodiment of the spirit of innovation and quality syn- onymous with Italy's industri- al and cultural identity. The company's history bears wit- ness to its strategic growth, adaptability, and unwavering commitment to the "Made in Italy" ethos, an ethos made of craftsmanship, creativity, and a pursuit of excellence - quali- ties that Pirelli has embodied throughout its history. As the company looks to the future, it continues to innovate and evolve, always staying true to its roots while embracing the challenges and opportunities of a rapidly changing world. T he story of car- b o n c o p y paper's invention i s d e e p l y i n t e r - t w i n e d w i t h t h e innovative work of Pellegri- no Turri, an Italian inventor whose contributions in the early 19th century played a pivotal role in the develop- ment of this technology. In 1801, Turri created the first type of carbon paper, a signif- icant breakthrough in the realm of writing and dupli- c a t i o n t e c h n o l o g y . H i s invention was specifically designed to provide ink for his mechanical typing machine, which was one of the first typewriters in existence. This invention showcased not only Turri's technical ingenuity but also his foresight in anticipat- ing the needs of emerging writing technologies. Turri's work was driven by a desire to facilitate easier writing, not just for the general populace but also for individuals with disabilities. However, while Pellegrino Turri was instrumental in the invention of carbon paper, it w a s t h e E n g l i s h i n v e n t o r R a l p h W e d g w o o d w h o secured the first patent for this technology in 1806. Simi- l a r t o T u r r i , W e d g w o o d ' s interest in carbon paper was also linked to making writing more accessible: his version of the invention was part of a device designed to aid the blind in writing. This high- lights an interesting parallel in the early development of car- bon paper, where inventors from different countries were s i m u l t a n e o u s l y w o r k i n g t o w a r d s s i m i l a r g o a l s o f improving writing technolo- gies and accessibility. The contributions of Pelle- grino Turri are particularly noteworthy for their role in kickstarting this journey of i n n o v a t i o n : a s a n I t a l i a n inventor, he laid the ground- work for what would become a crucial tool in the world of business and administration. His invention, while initially i n t e n d e d f o r u s e i n h i s mechanical typing machine, set the stage for future adap- tations and widespread usage, particularly after the develop- ment and popularization of the typewriter. And perhaps, what makes Turri's creation stand out the most is, truly, its underlying motivation – a genuine desire to make writ- ing easier and more accessible for everyone, including indi- viduals with disabilities. This l e a p i n t h i n k i n g b r o u g h t about a significant advance- ment in how we handle docu- mentation and communica- tion, forever changing the landscape of these essential activities. C a r b o n p a p e r w a s c r e a t e d t o f a c i l i t a t e t y p e w r i t i n g ( P h o t o : A n a s t a s i i a Levchenko/Dreamstime) Pirelli tires (Photo: Mrsegui/Dreamstime) Carbon paper was created in Italy! Pirelli, and the importance of innovation LA VITA ITALIANA TRADITIONS HISTORY CULTURE

• Cover