At the age of 12 Bruno Rossati began working eleven hour days.
"Now, approaching 91, I find myself reminiscing about my youth, still riding my motorcycle every day.
Letter re Ladetto
A Brief History of the Italian Marque
Italian engineer Vincenzo Azzariti anticipated Ducati with his desmodromic 173cc OHC single of 1930, developed for Benelli who housed it in a prototype.
This was followed in 1934 by a 348cc bevel-drive DOHC desmo 350 twin with 360 degree crank. This remarkable engine had a bore and stroke of 62 x 57 mm and displaced 344cc.
Sources: Tragatsch p81, desmodromology.nl, MC Storico Conti
