page_title: Pirelli
section_title: History
hierarchical_section_title: Pirelli / History
caption_attribution_description: Servizio fotografico&#160;: Milano, 1958 / Paolo Monti. - Stampe: 5&#160;: Positivo b/n, gelatina bromuro d'argento/ carta, 24x30. - ((Sul coperchio della scatola, manoscritto a pennarello: "Milano Pirelli gratt."
context_page_description: Pirelli & C. SpA is a diverse company based in Milan, Italy. It operates in many countries.
context_section_description: Pirelli was founded 1872 in Milan by Giovanni Battista Pirelli. Pirelli initially worked in rubber and related processes. The company used to make scuba diving rebreathers (a special type of underwater breathing machine). Pirelli's activities are still focused on the building of tyres and cables (for energy and telecommunications). In 2005, Pirelli sold its cable division to Goldman Sachs, which changed the new group's name to Prysmian.
  In the 1950s, Alberto Pirelli had the famous Milanese skyscraper built. It is in the same area as the first Pirelli factory in the 19th century.
  In 1974, Pirelli invented the wide radial tyre. This was at the request from the Lancia rally racing team. They needed a tyre strong enough for their new Stratos.
  Later, Porsche started using the same tyres with the Porsche 911 Turbo.
  Today, the wide tyres are still the standard in sport & racing cars.
caption: The Pirelli Tower in Milan in 1958, during construction, photographed by Paolo Monti.
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