History of the Vespa - An Italian Miracle

Despite the symbolic capital and the global commercial success of the Vespa scooter, there is no academic book dealing with its history, only literature produced by the company itself or by scooter enthusiasts. The origins of the Vespa are shrouded in mist, entrusted more to myth than to historical truth. Based on lengthy research carried out in Piaggio's historical archives and on an interdisciplinary approach, this volume aims to fill this gap. It shows how the Vespa took techniques from the most advanced aeronautical industries in the world, adapting and hybridizing them in an original way, and how the company disseminated its models in the transnational social space.

List of contents

Introduction 1. On the Wings of the Empire 2. The Genesis of the Vespa 3. Reconstruction 4. Workers 5. The Spectacle of the Vespa 6. Global Vespa. Conclusion

About the author

Andrea Rapini is Assistant Professor at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia.

Summary

Despite the symbolic capital and the global commercial success of the Vespa scooter, there is no academic book dealing with its history, only literature produced by the company itself or by scooter enthusiasts. The origins of the Vespa are shrouded in mist, entrusted more to myth than to historical truth. Based on lengthy research carried out in Piaggio’s historical archives and on an interdisciplinary approach, this volume aims to fill this gap. It shows how the Vespa took techniques from the most advanced aeronautical industries in the world, adapting and hybridizing them in an original way, and how the company disseminated its models in the transnational social space.

Product details

• Authors: Andrea Rapini, Andrea (University of Modena and Reggio Em Rapini, Andrea (University of Modena and Reggio Emilia Rapini
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd.
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 31.12.2018
• EAN: 9780367077549
• ISBN: 978-0-367-07754-9
• No. of pages: 134
• Series: Routledge Studies in Cultural History; Routledge Studies in Cultural History
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > History; European History, HISTORY / General, HISTORY / Social History, Social & cultural history, 20th century history: c 1900 to c 2000, HISTORY / Europe / Italy, Italy, 20th century, c 1900 to c 1999, Social and cultural history, History and Archaeology, HISTORY / Modern / 20th Century / General