Enrico Piaggio

Nowadays, Enrico Piaggio is a topic that arouses great interest in society. (Name of person) is a figure that has captured the attention of millions of people around the world. From his shocking discovery to his most recent achievements, Enrico Piaggio has left an indelible mark on history. In this article, we will thoroughly explore the life and work of Enrico Piaggio, analyzing his impact in various areas and unraveling the reasons that have made him a reference for future generations. Join us on this journey of discovery and admiration for Enrico Piaggio.

Enrico Piaggio
Born(1905-02-22)22 February 1905
Pegli, Italy
Died16 October 1965(1965-10-16) (aged 60)
Villa Varramista, Tuscany
NationalityItalian
OccupationHead of Piaggio
Known forFounder of Vespa
SpousePaola Antonelli
ChildrenAntonella Becchi Piaggio
(step-daughter)

Enrico Piaggio (22 February 1905 – 16 October 1965) was an Italian industrialist.

Life

Piaggio was born in Pegli, which at that time was an independent municipality. His father was Rinaldo Piaggio, the founder of Piaggio. He graduated with a degree in economics from University of Genoa in 1927, and would later receive an honorary degree in engineering from the University of Pisa, in 1951.[1]

Piaggio and his brother Armando inherited the family engineering business on their father's death in 1938. This had initially manufactured rolling-stock but had moved into aircraft production by the outbreak of World War II. Their factory was seriously damaged by Allied bombing and was unable to continue aircraft production when the war ended.[2]

Enrico Piaggio took the decision to diversify into manufacturing Vespa scooters. This proved to be a far-sighted move, as Piaggio would eventually become one of the biggest manufacturers of two-wheel vehicles in the world. [3]

Piaggio had also been critically wounded in September 1943, following a shooting incident in the lobby of the Excelsior Hotel in Florence. His life was saved only by removing one of his kidneys.

In October 1965, Piaggio was taken ill at work during an industrial dispute. The ambulance taking him to hospital had to make its way through crowds of strikers. Piaggio was released from hospital and died at home ten days later. Thousands of mourners lined the streets as his funeral passed by, including many of the erstwhile strikers.

Family

Enrico Piaggio was the second husband of Paola Antonelli, the widow of the El Alamein commander Colonel Alberto Bechi Luserna. They lived in the Villa Varramista which Piaggio purchased in 1953. [4]

Piaggio's stepdaughter, Antonella Bechi Piaggio, went on to marry Umberto Agnelli.[4]

References

  1. ^ Giorgio Sarti (2006). Vespa: 1946-2006: 60 Years of the Vespa. MotorBooks International. p. 34. ISBN 978-0-7603-2577-3.
  2. ^ "Vespa History - Enrico Piaggio". Star Vespa.
  3. ^ "Vespa History". Vespa LA. Archived from the original on 2 January 2011.
  4. ^ a b "Varramista, Tuscany: Varramista's century-long history". Villa Varramista. Archived from the original on 15 July 2010.