FABIO TAGLIONI: IN MEMORIAM

Fabio Taglioni, the legendary engineer "Dr. T", whose name has become synonymous with that of Ducati's, passed away Wednesday evening, July 18th, in his Bologna home from cardiac arrest. He was 80 years old. Fabio Taglioni was born in Lugo di Romagna on September 10, 1920. His father, Biagio, was an engineer who owned a workshop where he passionately devoted himself to repairing engines, and, in particular, race engines. It was here that Fabio first developed his remarkable passion and talent for mechanical engineering. After finishing high school he studied engineering at the University of Bologna. However with the beginning of WWII in 1940, his studies were interrupted when he was drafted to fight. It was during the war, in 1942, that he married Norina, his life-long companion for the next sixty years.

After the war, in 1948, he received his degree in mechanical engineering for his thesis on the desmodromic valve control system. While working as a professor at the Alberghetti college in Imola, he created with his students his first motorcycle, a 48 cc bike called the "Tornado." The project caught the eye of the managing director of the motorcycle manufacturer FB Mondial, and Taglioni was hired as director of the racing department. While working at FB Mondial the sheer genius of his technical solutions were noticed by the General Director of Ducati, Giuseppe Montano, and on April 1, 1954 Taglioni began his lasting career with Ducati.

Taglioni's contribution to Ducati history and the Ducati legacy are incomparable. At the beginning of his career with Ducati, the company was building small motorcycles for an Italian market that was crippled by the war. By the time of his dep arture in 1989 Ducati was a well known around the world for its quality sport bikes. The bikes designed by Taglioni were not only technically advanced; they also possessed unequaled beauty and charm. During his forty-year career at Ducati, Taglioni developed over 1,000 different engines, ranging from small bikes to super charged racing bikes. However, his name will forever be remembered in the world of motorcycles for his desmodromic system, the unique valve control system still in use today in all Ducati engines. Taglioni was the first to successfully apply this technology to motorbikes. His career in Ducati came to an end in May 1989, but his legacy will remain forever. With the passing of Fabio Taglioni Ducati has lost a legendary figure. We at Ducati offer our condolences to the Taglioni family: to his wife Norina, his daughter Piera, and all his loved ones.

The funeral will be held Friday, July 20th at 2:45pm at San Severino church in Bologna.

*Ducati is a registered trademark of Ducati SPA. Ducati On Line is in no way affiliated w/Ducati SPA

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