A History of Innovation

Rosario Di Blasi (1909-2008) founded Di Blasi Industrie out of a combined passion for innovation and ease of use. After spending WWII as a pilot, eventually being discharged as a major, and where he turned his mind to various technical challenges he found himself living in Rome.

It was there after lugging a bicycle up several flights of stairs to keep it away from the clutches of potential thieves, as exemplified by the famous film Bicycle Thieves (Italian: Ladri di biciclette) he started to sketch out ideas for a folding bicycle. Today, folding bicycles play a part in everyday life everywhere but the concept that could be easily stored and carried was revolutionary.

With burgeoning prosperity bicycles were soon replaced by scooters as the ride of preference and likewise Mr Di Blasi and his sons turned to the idea of a folding scooter.

By 1973 Di Blasi folding bicycles and scooters were ready and were revealed to the world at the Motorcycle and Bicycle Show of Milan in 1973. Just a year later Di Blasi took his products to Cologne Motorcycle and Bicycle Show in Germany. The products were an immediate success and exports began.

Today Di Blasi exports its products all over the world. Foldability is still at the heart of its approach to innovation but it has embraced the need for quieter and cleaner forms of power as exemplified by its popular R70 Electric Moped.