Finding the unexpected in the everyday.
Tazio Nuvolari, whose world-renowned racing career encompassed both motorcycles and cars, was born in the commune of Castel d’Ario in northern Italy. He eventually became a longtime resident of the nearby city of Mantua. Nuvolari’s racing career first took shape in 1920 when he began racing motorcycles. His achievements at this point in his career... Continue Reading →
Brazilian aviation pioneer Ada Rogato died in São Paulo at the age of 66. Rogato had been born in that Brazilian city in 1920. She was the daughter of immigrants from Italy. Rogato developed a strong interest in flying at an early age and, with money that she made through such jobs as selling embroideries... Continue Reading →
In northwestern Germany, the record-setting motor luxury yacht Dilbar was launched at the Lürssen shipyard in the city of Bremen. The 512-foot (156-meter)-long vessel is the world’s fourth largest yacht by length. With a total interior volume of 15,197 gross tons, Dilbar is also widely considered to the largest yacht in terms of volume. It... Continue Reading →
In southern India, a new express train went into service between Pune Junction railway station in the state of Maharashtra and Secunderabad Junction railway station in the state of Telangana. The train, which is operated by the South Central Railway (one of the 16 zones of Indian Railways), began its inaugural run after being flagged... Continue Reading →
A new lighthouse began operations on a shallow sandbank that is about seven miles (11 kilometers) off the coast of Ireland’s capital of Dublin. The Kish Lighthouse – located on the sandbank known as the Kish Bank in Dublin Bay-- has since become a familiar landmark for those sailing through this region of the Emerald... Continue Reading →
Robert Julian Scott, whose interests and accomplishments involved several modes of transportation during his many years in New Zealand, died in the city of Christchurch at the age of 69. Scott had been born in Plymouth, England, in 1861. After completing his education, he worked briefly for the London, Brighton, and South Coast Railway under... Continue Reading →
A new viaduct was completed in northwestern Argentina’s Salta Province as a key part of the Salta-Antofagasta Railway (also known as the Huaytiquina Railway). La Polvorilla Viaduct, which measures about 70 meters (229 feet) in height, took two years to build near the city of Salta and became the tallest of the railway’s 11 viaducts.... Continue Reading →
The first line of Singapore’s Light Rail Transit (LRT) series of fully automated transit systems was opened in the residential town and planning area of Bukit Panjang. This initial segment, known as the Bukit Panjang LRT Line, was formally inaugurated by Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Tony Tan Keng Yam. Tan, who has since... Continue Reading →
Miles Clark, who established a new sailing record in Europe, was born in the town of Magerherafelt in Northern Ireland. Clark was a geography student at Downing College in England, and his strong sense of curiosity and international adventure eventually led him to become a freelance travel writer and photographer. Clark also served as features... Continue Reading →
Henri Pigozzi, who served as the general commercial representative for the Italian automobile producer Fiat S.p.A. in France, founded the company Société Industrielle de Mécanique et Carrosserie Automobile (Simca)-Fiat at the one-time Donnet manufacturing factory in the French commune of Suresnes (a western suburb of Paris). Pigozzi launched Simca-Fiat as a distributor for Fiat automobiles... Continue Reading →
Transportation History 