Museum of Industrial Heritage

The article summarizes the historical research carried out by architect Bruni and engineer Fulvi within the project related to the clearance and safety restoration of the former  kiln in Ghiare di Berceto. This kiln produced lime from 1912 to 1932 and is still an important evidence of the early 20th century industrialisation in the Taro valley. Although the building has been used for a variety of activities since the end of the 2nd World War, it is luckily still possible to work out from the construction how the kiln worked.

The meeting took place on December 2nd, 2009 at the Industrial Heritage Museum in Bologna. It was promoted by AIPAI (Italian Association for Industrial Archeological Heritage), by the regional branch of Italia Nostra and by IBACN (Regional Institute for Cultural  Heritage). Speeches and papers offered the occasion for a large number of  comments and discussion. The morning session was devoted to methodological papers and consideration of the regulations in the field of industrial heritage; the afternoon session focused on some case studies related to topics of regional import.

Magneti Marelli is one of the most prestigious brands in Italy. The firm, founded in 1919 with its stock capital equally subscribed by FIAT and Società Anonima Ercole Marelli, soon stood out for its modern and scientific organization of its management. The article goes over the firm’s history, highlighting its main turning points: FIAT’s entrance as major shareholder in 1967; the big changes in the 80s that transformed it into an industrial holding focused on Automotive  components; the birth in 1987 of Raggruppamento Motore di Magneti Marelli, which took over Weber, a prestigious brand whose history is briefly reconstructed.

The purpose of this project, started in 2008 by Regione Emilia-Romagna together with Ufficio Scolastico Regionale and Agenzia Nazionale per lo Sviluppo dell’Autonomia Scolastica,  is to experiment with new approaches to the learning of scientific subjects. It is made up of two actions: the first one, coordinated by the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, aims at establishing and networking mathematic laboratories; the second one, coordinated by IBACN (Regional Institute for Cultural  Heritage), aims at developing a network of scientific museums which can be used as an educational resource to learn scientific and technological subjects.

The Sportello Orientamento & Lavoro of the Municipality of Bologna has been trying to practice a gradual, serviceable connection and interaction between schools, workers, entrepreneurs and their district, in cooperation with  the Istituto Aldini-Valeriani and later with other technical schools in Bologna. A significant experience in this field is provided by summer training courses, namely summer work experiences directed to students attending the last years of secondary schools.

The motorized unit of  Local Police in Bologna has just celebrated its 75th anniversary. A book has been devoted to its history, deeply intertwined with the town’s life and the social changes taking place over the years. Great attention is paid to the motorcycle models used by Local Police, from the fabulous MM to Ducati.

Water is the main subject of many educational activities  offered by the Industrial Heritage Museum with an interdisciplinary approach that has been translated into the materials of a dedicated educational kit.

Mario Mazzetti è considerato una delle firme più illustri del motociclismo bolognese. Nato a Bologna nel 1895, nel 1924 fonda la M.M. Di cui cura i progetti, i collaudi, le prove. Il socio Morini invece è responsabile dello sviluppo commerciale, della propaganda e delle attività sportive. La fama dell'azienda ben presto si consolida a livello nazionale. Anche la rottura del soldalizio con Morini non mette in difficoltà la produzione M.M. Tuttavia la guerra prima e la difficile ripresa seguita al 1945 non consentono all'azienda di recuperare il primato . Il fallimento segna la fine del prestigioso marchio nel 1958.
Mazzetti morirà nel 1964.