Living Under The Tyrrhenian Sea

This story dates back to 2007 but worth a look over.

"Three men and three women have just spent two weeks living in pods 30 feet under the Tyrrhenian Sea.

They set a record for undersea habitation, but it was more than a stunt.

"It's an unusual possibility to perform medical examinations," says Annamaria D'Amore, the project's head doctor.

A team of twenty doctors monitored the divers 24 hours a day urine, heart rates, cognitive and psychological changes, even their breath to assess the effects of prolonged immersion.

But science aside, pretty much everyone here cheerfully admits being inspired by the Jules Verne classic "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea."

Lamborghini Huracan Official Video; Interview With Stefano Mazzetti

Video interview with Stefano Mazzetti head of Powertrain and Electronics Department of Lamborghini:



I came across the above clip while searching for the latest news on the Lamborghini Huracan:

Beretta Factory: 500 Years Of History

Aside from the actual manufacturing of guns, it always remains interesting to me how Italy has managed to maintain some of its companies in the hands of the same family for generations. A remarkable reality given today's global economy. Moreover, it has held out outsourcing - where possible - longer than its brethren in the G7.

Auto Italia From Brooklands Museum

Brooklands Museum showcases Italian cars.

Top 100 Italian Brands

Not surprisingly, Ferrari tops the list followed by Prada and Armani, Gucci, Martini, Bulgari, Dolce & Gabbana, Barilla, Chicco and Gruppo Generali round out the top 10. Of these, five are from the fashion industry.

Other familiar names to North Americans on the list include Benetton, Lamborghini, Ducati, Aprilia, Diesel, Pirelli, Versace, Nutella, San Pellegrino, Lavazza, Fiat, Ferrero, Alfa-Romeo, Moschino, Valentino, Ariston, Fila, Illy, Lancia, Maserati, Santal, San Benedetto, Jacuzzi, Ferragamo, De Longhi, Cinzano, Peroni, Fendi, Campari, Lotto, Agip, Di Saronno, Diadora, Birra Moretti, Luxardo, Tic-Tac, Nordica, Cerruti, Kappa, Juventus, Caffarel, Beretta, Inter Milan, Perugina.

See the full list here.

A couple of interesting notes. Aprilia ranks ahead of Ducati while Moto Guzzi or Vespa (Piaggio) make the list. De Cecco pasta is not on the list. Among the soccer clubs ranked AC Milan is absent while Juventus, AS Roma and Internazionale Milano are represented.

Nonetheless, quite the number of global brands spread across several industries.

Aprilia Versus Lamborghini

It's 'face-off' Sunday I guess!

MotoGP: Rossi Versus Biaggi Rivalry

Italian Kitchen Ideas

From Cucine Aster.

"The kitchen theme color should be in the shades of orange, cream and gold which are primarily soothing to the eyes and provide an extremely comfortable environment..."

"...Tuscan Style Kitchens- This style among the Italian styles is gradually gaining popularity with the various households. One of the major reasons behind it might be the fact that it uses all the earthy colors which are both, attractive and relaxing. The stones used are completely natural. They are the likes of granite, slate, stone and terracotta.
 
Lighting- The lights are generally in the golden hues, using wrought iron shades. Modern metallic casings are avoided.

Earthy bowls and wooden paintings add to the natural feel of the ambience. The décor is also mainly consisting of thing like faux paintings, wall texturing etc. which gives the whole plastered look reminiscent of yester years. Subtle tones of muted colors or bright flairs are used. Frills are generally avoided."

Quote Of The Day

"Italy must lead the world in non-patented inventions:"

Californian I was talking to on a train ride from Florence to Siena in 1994.

History Of The Mezzaluna Knife

The iconic knife in Italian cuisine sometimes used to cut pizza, was first developed in Italy.

The familiar and popular 'pizza wheel' cutter, for its part, was invented in the United States.

Hard to imagine a kitchen in North America without one of these two items.

Steel Production By Country

 Italy is ranked 10th in total steel production in the world (second in Europe behind Germany).

As a point of interest, China, Japan and the United States take the top three spots with China producing by far the largest amount. France, Canada and the United Kingdom rank 14th, 16th and 17th respectively.

More details here at Worldsteel.org.

Robot Density By Country

According to the International Federation of Robotics, Italy ranks 4th (behind South Korea, Japan and Germany) in the world in terms of robot density.

More details at IFR.

Canada is 14th and the United States 7th.

AS Roma's New Stadium Will Combine History With Technology

Australian architectural firm Woods Bagot has taken on the enviable task of building AS Roma's new stadium in one of the world's great historical cities.  The stadium will be the first carbon neutral stadium in Europe. Along with the natural grass on the pitch, it will hold 52 500 spectators with the option to expand to 60 000.

From Sourceable found in link:

"According to Woods Bagot, the stadium will combine past and present aesthetics to reflect the rich history of Italy while also implementing technology, modern materials and the innovative and clean aesthetic associated with Italian design.

“The design draws visual cues from the world’s most historic spectator venue, the Roman Colosseum,” said Woods Bagot sport design leader, Dan Meis. “For an architect who has spent much of his career designing stadiums, and most of his vacations in Italy, the Stadio della Roma truly is a project of a lifetime.”

“Rome has an unparalleled architectural history. To be able to build anything there is a gift, to build a new home for AS Roma and the most passionate fans in football is heart stopping....”

"...According to Woods Bagot, Stadio dello Roma will be Europe’s first truly sustainable major sports venue with its carbon neutral footprint, maximum recycling capabilities and highly modern renewable energy and conservation programs.

While the stadium is being built specifically for football,  it will be easily adjustable to house other events with features including retractable stage canopies, rigging and turf protection systems."

Stadio del Roma, Juventus’ stadium was built to be sustainable, with features to reduce energy consumption and waste, as well as stringent water strategies which reuse rainwater and reduce at least 50 per cent of water needed for irrigation of the field.  Concrete from the old stadium was reused for the new structure. - See more at: http://sourceable.net/gladiator-makeover-new-colosseum-inspired-stadium-for-rome/#sthash.3KZvAJ7F.dpuf

Stadio del Roma, Juventus’ stadium was built to be sustainable, with features to reduce energy consumption and waste, as well as stringent water strategies which reuse rainwater and reduce at least 50 per cent of water needed for irrigation of the field.  Concrete from the old stadium was reused for the new structure. - See more at: http://sourceable.net/gladiator-makeover-new-colosseum-inspired-stadium-for-rome/#sthash.3KZvAJ7F.dpuf

Making Artificial Limbs In Italy

Clip from 1949 at British Pathe at the Orthopaedic Institute in Bologna.

Meanwhile the Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna is part of revolutionary breakthroughs - specifically sensory for prosthetic limbs.

Medical Device Technology For Diabetes

CureCheck is a medical device for diabetics designed by a trio of Italians - Federico Fraternale, Andrea Ghiringhelli, and Marco Grimandi.

"347 million people worldwide have diabetes (2012); they need a specific solution: easy, handy, portable, innovative."

"Cure Check is a handy and easy-to-use glycemia indicator, which contains all the necessary to check and cure the user. Thanks to its reduced dimensions and its design, it is absolutely pocket-sized and far from the shape of a medical device."

More information here.