The father of the Vespa becomes immortal

He invented the Vespa. “Only” for this reason Corradino d'Ascanio has rightfully entered the Olympus of the fathers of two wheels. Piaggio, however, decides to consecrate it to immortality with an exhibition divided into four sectors. Popoli's aeronautical designer may be known as man, genius, magician and myth.

Until January 31st, in the halls of the Piaggio Museum in Pontedera space is given to original drawings and documents, projects and publications. On the occasion of the inauguration ceremony, the actor Luca Zingaretti wore d'Ascanio's clothes, reading some of his most significant writings to the public.

The first incarnation of the Vespa was the 98cc model, invented because “the motorcycle was too uncomfortable”. Since then (the patent dates back to April 23, 1946) they have been 17 million copies sold worldwide at a rate, for five years now, of 100.000 units every 12 months.

The exhibition was organized on the occasion of the 120th anniversary of the birth and the thirtieth anniversary of the death of the father of one of the emblems of Made in Italy in the world. According to the Tuscan manufacturer "the exhibition will tell the life and works of a character whose inventions - such as the first prototype of the modern helicopter and the most famous scooter in the world - have now entered history". Curated by the Piaggio Foundation together with the architect Enrico Agonigi, the event obtained the patronage of the Tuscany Region, the Province of Pisa, the Municipality of Pontedera, the Archival Superintendency of Abruzzo, the Province of Pescara and the Municipality of Popoli.