MAIMERI CATALOG 2017 Maimeri Catalog 2016-2017 | Page 4

ARTE E INDUSTRIA UNA STORIA DI PASSIONI ART AND INDUSTRY A STORY OF EMOTIONS

1800 . On June 21st 1884 , Gianni Maimeri is born into a well-established industrial family in Varano by lake Comabbio . His grandfather , Antonio , graduated from the University of Padua as an engineer and land-surveyor . A follower of Cattaneo , he received a certificate of merit during the Five Days of Milan and his place on the city ’ s cultural and intellectual scene is one of undisputed significance . Gianni ’ s father , Leone , attended the faculty of physics and mathematics at Pavia university to then go on and graduate in industrial engineering at Milan Polytechnic . His first contact with Milan ’ s industrial world leads Leone into the socialist environment of Carlo Cattaneo , editor of “ Il Politecnico ” and Ernest Stamm .
With the latter he plans and builds a completely new industrial plant near Schio and together they work on a project for the Mont Blanc tunnel . In 1878 Leone becomes manager of one of Lombardy ’ s leading cotton mills located in Varano . In this role he helps create one of the most efficient industrial organizations of its time . Sympathetic to the plight of workers , in order to improve operating conditions for his employees he patents the shuttle guard , a device which is then produced and used in the Varano textile factory . Gianni ’ s mother , Zoe Bouffier , is the daughter of a French industrialist who , together with the élite of Milanese agrarian and silk capitalism , established Helvetica , a company went on to become Ernesto Breda .
1884 . Antonio Maimeri and his son Leone with the family .
1895 . Paranavette . ( Protection member , in weaving looms , designed to prevent injuries ). Design engineer and patent of Leone Maimeri .
End of 1800 . Inside of textile factory directed by Leone Maimeri