78 years ago today, the first Italian helicopter, looking like a sketch from DaVinci’s notebook, broke the last of three current helicopter flight records. How does that relate to us? That primitive chopper was designed by Corradino D’Ascanio, who joined Piaggio two years later, and went on to design the world’s most famous and innovative motorscooter.
Piaggio Aero lives on, though it was divided from Piaggio & Co. in 1964. Just last week, Tata Motors of India acquired a one-third share of the company from the Ferrari/Di Mase families and Mubadala Development Co.
I celebrated the anniversary by buying a Lambretta.