It's been over a year since my last post. I have not had time to keep up with this blog. In any event, now is not the time to explore such things.There's a malaise in the West that needs ten… Read More

I haven't been up to running this blog lately. I will definitely be resuming once all this hysteria passes.It's very sad what's happening.And by sad, I don't mean the virus. Rather I point t… Read More

As if the 'casedemic' hasn't already impacted activities, now I decided to buy a house. And as I've devoted my time to researching and following the science and data this blog has been tempo… Read More

Was watching a brief clip about Paraguay the other day on the Internet and learned about the Itaipu dam.One of the largest hydro-electric powered dams in the world, it borders Brazil and Par… Read More

I watched Ford v. Ferrari the other day and ranter enjoyed it. Two iconic automobile manufactures in one movie? Sign me up.Of course, the movie took some liberty with the facts but from what… Read More

And is already a big player. Puts into perspective just how leaderless and foolish Canada is. Unacceptable what the Liberals and their coalition are doing."...In 2018, the PSV obtained… Read More

First post for 2020.I may have posted this article from MIT in the past but will do so again here in case. Italy has lagged its competitors in the field of technology (and historically while… Read More

It's a little late for Merry Christmas so let's just go with a blanket merry happy holidays.And now for a non-sequitur piece of humour Read More

Sports cars, motor cycles, bicycles, planes and even boats get a lot of luck here but trucks not so much despite its own long and rich history on the Italian engineering landscape.Not surpri… Read More

Giotto Bizzarrini designed this beaut. You can pick one up for about 538 000 EUROS (or about  $800 000 CDN).Check out the Lancia's in the video. Such a severely under rated car: An… Read More

Genius went into building Venice and it will take genius to save it.Although, a good start would be to stop allowing Cruise ships into the Lagoon Read More

Albert Einstein's closest friend and confidante was a compatriot and Swiss/Italian engineer named Michele Besso.Besso was the only person Einstein worked with when  made his famous… Read More

Fiat Chrysler merges with Peugeot forming the 4th largest company in the world.But what does it mean for Italian brands under the Fiat banner - Maserati and Alfa Romeo - in North America?Tim… Read More

Inside the Bottega of bicycle creativity. It's been rumoured the Pinarello Miguel Indurain rode to five Tour de France titles was actually made by Pegoretti.Shorter Pegoretti:Am I artis… Read More

With Ford V. Ferrari out here's a story between the two rivals from the 1965 LeMans race Read More

She's a beaut I tell ya.I always get a kick watching English mechanics and engineers work on Italian cars and openly speak about the thought process as they try and figure out the logic of i… Read More

Among the greatest and most prolific car designers in history, Michelotti is the mind behind the legendary Triumph Spitfire which he considered his favourite creation.And with good reason. T… Read More

Let's keep this car theme going.Nice collection of Italian cars held by an Italo-Canadian Read More

A pair of lovely Alfa Romeo cars.It's a shame a company with such a stunning legacy can't get their sales up in North America Read More

That's some engine.Love the styling and design on that car Read More

Found this website about all things Italy. I was just looking around for themes on motors and engines and stumbled on an article discussing Grandi Motori Trieste building the biggest di… Read More

During my quest researching olive mills from Italy, I recently read a story about a Canadian couple producing the first olive oil from Canada. It's a pretty neat story and will be sure to se… Read More

Just some random links.Another Giro has come and gone. While not one of the most exciting Giros of recent times, it was nonetheless a intriguing one for cycling fans. It's a shame no major n… Read More

Let's continue celebrating Italian works of bicycle art.Tommasini is out of Grosseto. A town where we happen to have a friend.We may just have to visit one of these days Read More

Look ma! First post of May!The Giro D'Italia is criminally under appreciated and reported in the largely Anglicized North American sports landscape. It's a shame because it's one of the most… Read More

Just one post thus far in 2019.I really need to step up my game.I just finished reading a 715 page book on World War I and decided to post a couple of Italian pistols.First up, the Bodeo 188… Read More

My first post of 2019. I know, I really need to be more involved and energetic. But procrastination is a problem. It's not like I get paid for any of this. Heck, Google even kicked me off so… Read More

And belated Merry Christmas.While I'm at it Happy Holidays!Nothing like talking into the wind. No one reads this blog but I'll keep going in 2019 Read More

Just some random companies in Italy I came across.Cognetex is another company focused in machinery (spinning wheels, twisting machines) all too common in Italy. Video on Vimeo.Fadis is anoth… Read More

Ever wonder what hydrofoils are?Well?Here you go:The hydrofoil was invented by Enrico Forlanini. In 1877, he also invented a helicopter powered by a steam engine. While we're at it… Read More

It's not surprising that an industrious and  engineering country like Italy also produces talent to manipulate such mechanical creations.As pointed out throughout the years on this blog… Read More

"Representatives of leading Italian and Australian science institutions met in Perth yesterday to formally enter into a partnership to take the next steps toward the world's largest telescop… Read More

And Italy is playing its part."In the human brain, nerve cells - so-called neurons - care for the transmission of electrical signals. They form the functional component responsible for sensa… Read More

Interesting article in the MIT Technology Review on Italy positioning itself to be a world leader in technology.Italy is a unique entity among the G7.  It held out, more than any, going… Read More

Forget the yacht part, I'm just linking this article for the Italian brands people should own list Read More

Rimini FC who play professional soccer in Italy's third division Serie C were recently purchased by Quantocoin - a cryptocurrency like Bitcoin."...According to Pablo Dana, a partner at Quant… Read More

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$52 million to be exact.I hope it wasn't in coin Read More

A little dated as it goes to 2015 but still a decent overview.It's a list of wins sorted by bike manufacturers.Italian bike manufacturers of Moser, Wilier, Bianchi, Battaglin, De Rosa, Colna… Read More

The Italian Space Agency has presented evidence that a lake exist beneath a polar ice cap.Scientists have long suspected of the existence of water on Mars and up until this discovery could o… Read More

Sergio Marchionne, the beloved, respected and legendary CEO who saved FIAT, passed away. Born in Italy in 1952 and moved to Canada in 1966, his leadership in the industry was undeniable… Read More

Every year I feature and profile Italian bikes at the Tour and like any other year, Italy offers its cycling legacy with their presence.The four principle bikes are Wilier, Pinarello, Bianch… Read More

Italy ranked as the eighth most automated robotics nation in the world.That marks an improvement from 2015.South Korea leads all nations. Canada is not in the top 10 while the USA is 7th Read More

Italy may not be in the World Cup (still a surreal event), but Italians continue to influence the game as they generally have thought out the history of soccer.One area where they've disting… Read More

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A wiki entry on Italian design focusing on fashion, automobile, industrial and interior design."Italian design refers to all forms of design in Italy, including interior… Read More

Campagnolo engineers have come up with a 12-speed option and have done so in typical stylistic and quality it's famous for.Of the three major group sets out there - SRAM and Shimano are the… Read More

If you were wondering if Lamborghini would go electric (why would you?) keep dreaming.There are no plans for the auto legend to do so."...According to Reggiani, an electric Lamborghini… Read More

"Italian researchers on Thursday unveiled a new robotic hand they say allows users to grip objects more naturally and features a design that will lower the price significantly.The Hennes rob… Read More

Giovanni Battaglin (a Giro and Vuelta winner), like a few former pro cyclists, went on to manufacture his own bikes. Stephen Roche rode his treble back in the 80s on a Battaglin.  I jus… Read More

"...Judging by its name alone, you might guess that the "Lafesta" is some obscure, one-off supercar from an Italian workshop somewhere. But no, it’s actually a Hyundai; the small… Read More

A medieval Italian man was found with what appears to be a knife for a hand."...The skeleton in question was found in a Longobard necropolis in the north of Italy, dating back to a… Read More

What separates Italian bikes from all others is their pedigree. Few can match the status of these historically important brands that have richly contributed to the sport of road racing.Alas… Read More

The seismo-electromagnetic satellite project launched by the two countries is part of an overall plan to deepen relations through such strategic partnerships Read More

I really need to quell this laziness.Anyway.Buon Anno a tutti!And it's a happy new year it looks like in Italy's manufacturing industry."The Italian plastic and rubber machinery manufacturin… Read More

The resurgence of the Alfa-Romeo brand continues as the auto legend announces a return to F1 in a partnership with Sauber.This is great news given Alfa's long and rich racing tradition. It n… Read More

Trump makes good on reversing Obama era freeze on off shore oil drilling with the approval of Italian oil company ENI. Federal regulators approved ENI to begin the project in Federal wa… Read More

Alfa-Romeo is legend Read More

In keeping with the spirit I outlined in the last post, it's worth mentioning from time to time the work of Italians in the field of science.Francesco Redi is one such person.The interesting… Read More

Not sure, if this will be a reoccurring feature but I'd like to explore a little more the role of the Roman Catholic Church in the development of Western science. Catholicism, of all the org… Read More

Nice run down of a group of designers keeping the Italian automotive design heritage and legacy alive from Automobile magazine.Staying with Automobile magazine here's a compilation of their… Read More

Like so many dedicated fans of the Azzurri, I was left disappointed (but not surprised) by their inability to qualify for the World Cup. In fact, I admit I never thought I'd see this day. Su… Read More

Speed Up is a Moto2 bike manufacturer. The company hasn't achieved the legacy of renowned bikes like Bimota, Aprilia, Ducati etc. but that's because it's very young having been founded… Read More

It's always tricky whenever an established sports car manufacturer dabbles outside its area of expertise and so it is with Alfa's decision to head into the SUV market for the first time with… Read More

I didn't realize Fornasari declared bankruptcy in 2015. Quite the impressive legacy during its 16 year run nonetheless. The company was known for its racing buggies and SUVs like the RR600 p… Read More

Top Gear concludes:"Ferrari LaFerrari review: a V12 with KERS electrification that amounts to 950bhp of pure industrial awesomeness."The LaFerrari recently sold for $3.7 million at auct… Read More

The iconic mint green colours of Bianchi and Ferrari's racing red - two hundred years of excellence in their respective sporting fields between them - will collaborate to produce new models… Read More

"The President of the Italian Republic, Sergio Mattarella, today visited the Matera space hub, one of the most important centres in southern Italy for research, development and technolo… Read More

With Fabio Aru in second place and doing well at the Tour de France (no shame in that given Chris Froome is the leader), let's go back into history and meet the forgotten champion Gastone Ne… Read More

Dear me, I hadn't realized June went by without a post! I blame the Russians.Anyway...Here are a couple of articles I spotted:"...German and Italian public transportation companies are… Read More

Italian police have a second Huracan in their ranks:"As if one Lamborghini Huracán isn’t enough, the Italian supercar brand is now donating a second example of the sup… Read More

"Italian firm ASG Superconductors on Friday presented the first magnet for ITER, the world's largest experimental plant designed to show it is possible to produce energy from nuclear fusion… Read More

According to Bloomberg Global Health Index.List of all 163 countries.Canada is 17th and the United States 34th Read More

Currently, the 100th edition of the Giro d'Italia is in full flight.Check out the pink bikes in the link.And while you're at it, take a gander at these bikes made by car companies including… Read More

Rather than merge Bandini with post below with Stanguellini I felt it appropriate it gets its own entry.Bandini Auto is yet another product from a genius mind that graces the Italian peninsu… Read More

When we think of the Italian passion for racing the names of Alfa Romeo, Pantera De Tomaso, Lamborghini, Ferrari and even Lancia in rally come to mind.But the auto history in the country is… Read More

".....The 1965 Soviet economic reform, sometimes called the Kosygin reform or Liberman reform, were a set of planned changes in the economy of the Soviet Union … Read More

Been collecting these stories and articles. Rather than post them each individually let's go bulk!Italdesign with its partners offers up its futuristic car design."Airbus and Italdesign… Read More

"...Scientists examining the remains of "Otzi," Italy's prehistoric iceman who roamed the Alps some 5,300 years ago, said on Thursday they have isolated what are believed to be the oldest tr… Read More

I didn't realize the Viotti brand - long since gone since 1964 - was purchased by a Chinese group and subsequently revived. Since this event, it's gone on to acquire other brand names and ev… Read More

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Aaaaand so it begins. 2017 that is. Let's kick it off with a sports theme. Every once in a while I like to         go outside the mandate of this blog. The great cyclist… Read More

And so we say good-bye to 2016 and salute 2017.Be well, play and drive safe e cent'anni! Read More

How's this for a story.1927 was the year the Mille Miglia race began its ascent into legendary status. A competition it helped to make iconic brands like Alfa Romeo and Porsche. For more on… Read More

Hey, for what it's worth, belated Merry Christmas/Buon Natale.Check this baby out. I have no idea what's being said but it's a cool video:It's the Italian designed 'microcar' Iso Isetta.&nbs&hell…Read More

The last time I mentioned Gruppo Bertone it was in 2010 and the company was still operating. In fact, it designed the 2013 Aston-Martin Rapide.Unfortunately, one of the most famous and iconi… Read More

The Cisitalia 202's role in spawning an American icon: Corvette."...What it was all about, of course, was a two-seater convertible sports car. Working from Earl’s rough outline, McLean… Read More

The Italian automotive Renaissance 1945-1975:"...With their startling, often sensual designs, Italian cars from the mid-century had an immense influence on the automotive industry aroun… Read More

Nice quick overview of Italian genius that has put it at the scientific, engineering, artistic and technological forefront of Western and world history.Italians have generally had their hand… Read More

Neat video (another one!) revealing yet another chapter in Italian automotive history and heritage and its legacy: Read More

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Italy just isn't about sexy cars, boats, planes and motorcycles. An engineering culture - and rich scientific pedigree - like Italy will naturally look to the skies and beyond.We even have s… Read More

While Ferrari and Porsche rightfully hog all the attention, we tend to forget other legendary auto racing cars that have proven to be consistent campions on the track in various races across… Read More

Italy's boundless passion never ceases to amaze Read More

What is/was the Lincoln Futura?I suppose the best way to explain it is with the following picture:Yes, the Bat-Mobile is a Lincoln Futura. But what's that got to do with a blog that focuses… Read More

The Autobianchi company was a creation of Pirelli, Fiat and Bianchi in 1955. After being brought under the Lancia umbrella by way of Fiat, it ceased operations in 1995.*****An ode to Italy's… Read More

Earlier this year, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles sponsored a Technology Expo at Wayne State University in Michigan looking to foster a stronger technological partnership between Italy and the Un… Read More

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