Tullio Campagnolo

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Tullio Campagnolo (born August 26, 1901 in Vicenza , † February 3, 1983 ibid) was an Italian cyclist (1922–1930) and founder of the Campagnolo company , which is still one of the leading manufacturers of bicycle components today.

His first idea for a technical innovation came on the occasion of one of his bike races when he could not remove the rear wheel quickly enough for a gear change (at that time by turning the rear wheel with sprockets on both sides) due to cold and stiff fingers. This experience led to his first product, the quick release axle , which has been on the market since 1930 and which still makes it easy to change wheels quickly today. He received his first patent for this product in 1930 . More than 135 patents were to follow over the decades. He also invented the linkage derailleur in 1946 , the principle of which is still in use today. Tullio Campagnolo did not invent the bicycle gearshift, but he was the first to introduce a gearshift that has proven itself in everyday use.

In 1933 he founded the Campagnolo company. Production was in his hands alone. It wasn't until 1940 that he was able to employ his first employee.

Tullio Campagnolo has received various awards over the years: (selection)

  • Cavaliere del Lavoro (highest honor for a businessman by the Republic of Italy)
  • Stella D'Oro of the National Olympic Committee of Italy

On June 24, 1995, a monument to Campagnolo was unveiled on the Croce d'Aune . It shows the scene of a botched wheel change, in which the racing driver decided to develop an improvement for this.

literature

  • Paolo Faccinetti, Guido P. Rubino: Campagnolo - a company makes bicycle history. 1st edition. Delius Klasing, 2009, ISBN 978-3-7688-5275-3 .

footnote

  1. ^ Neue Zürcher Zeitung, Feb. 19, 2002, p. 75: Two competitive component manufacturers
  2. ↑ History of Campagnolo - quick release on Fahrradmonteur.de
personal data
SURNAME Campagnolo, Tullio
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Italian cyclist and entrepreneur
DATE OF BIRTH August 26, 1901
PLACE OF BIRTH Vicenza
DATE OF DEATH 3rd February 1983
Place of death Vicenza