Sphere
#39
2015
25
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detractors refused to believe him, his
1902 transmission between Glace Bay,
Nova Scotia and Poldhu in Cornwall
was irrefutable, and Italian science
established another first in the realm of
telecommunications.
Today’s era of mobile telephony owes a
huge debt to the inventive spirit of both
Marconi and Meucci.
Made in Italy
Today, Italian inventiveness and creativity
are expressed in the innovative nature of its
world-famous products. From fashion and
handbags, to luxury cars and yachts, ‘Italian
craftsmanship’ is a synonym for quality and
pristine execution of form and design.
Bottega Veneta, Dolce & Gabbana,
Ermenegildo Zegna, Fendi, Ferragamo,
Giorgio Armani, Gucci, Prada, Valentino
and Versace – the world’s clothes,
accessories and jewellery are all designed
by Italians whose names dominate fashion
and the high streets of glamourous cities
from New York to Shanghai.
While German car manufacturing is
also renowned, it is at the very highest
level of car manufacturing that Italians
are peerless. The rarest cars affording
the most prestige are Italian – think
Lamborghini, Ferrari, Alfa Romeo, Pagani
and Maserati. There is a marriage of
craftsmanship and performance and, the
least imitable factor, artistry, which others
have been unable to match. The most
expensive hybrid car on the market today
and the most expensive sold at auction are
both Ferraris – the modern Ferrari LaFerrari
Base (USD1.5 million) and the 1962 Ferrari
250 GTO. The latter sold for over USD34
million at auction last year. Its streamlined
beauty will have your heart racing – even
before your feet touch the pedals!
Where Romans once ruled the seas,
Italians now rule the exclusive harbours
of luxury yacht owners. Benetti, Azimut,
Ferretti and Perini Navi are just some of
the Italian shipbuilders that exemplify
modern Italian-inspired industriousness.
Like the car manufacturers, many have
pedigrees stretching back to the origins of
the medium. In this case, it is the modern,
post-wood shipbuilding era when modern
composite materials became the new
standard. Benetti was founded in 1873,
but made the transition to the new world
of high-tech yacht building, inspiring
like-minded craftsmen.
Viva Italia!
All in all, there is something special in
the national character of Italy that seems
to enable it to create and deliver the most
desired goods in the world, drawing from
its own heritage and culture. Where once
Italians conquered the world by force of
arms and advanced governance, they
now appeal to people’s hearts, driving
them to willingly surrender to the lure of
the nation’s legacy, whether it be in the
kitchen, at the dinner table, or through
our pockets.
Their inventive spirit, dedication and
discipline mean that when Italians dream,
their dreams become a reality which has
universal appeal. For centuries to come,
the people of the world will continue to
celebrate this nation and proclaim, “Viva
Italia!”
