Gino Amisano, AGV's founder, died June 29 at the age of 89 following a bout with bronchopneumonia.
Here are some of the company's milestones.
1946: AGV SpA (Amisano Gino Valenza) launched as a manufacturer of leather seats and bicycle saddles in Valenza, Italy.
1948: AGV begins producing motorcycle helmets.
1949: The first open-face helmet with a leather shell was developed and produced.
1953: The first fiberglass vulcanized helmets were introduced into the market.
1954: AGV produces the first 100 percent fiberglass open-face helmet. A few years later, the company develops the first fiberglass full-face helmet.
1977: AGV invests the full costs for building Clinica Mobile, a facility that provides emergency care to riders who have suffered injuries during races. This partnership still exists today.
1985: Nelson Piquet takes part in the Formula 1 World Championship wearing a new Kevlar/Dupont fiberglass full-face AGV helmet.
1988: AGV acquires MDS
1995: Valentino Rossi starts his outstanding professional career wearing an AGV helmet. Together with AGV, Valentino began his dominant reign to seven World Championship titles.
2002: AGV becomes part of an important Belgian multi-national group, which already owned the LAZER brand. The IMAG Group, together with AGV, MDS, and LAZER, is now the fourth largest worldwide producer within the sport helmets market.
2007: AGV merges with motorcycle apparel manufacturer Dainese.
AGV USA, Inc., a subsidiary of AGV SpA, is based in Costa Mesa, Calif.
—Submitted by Guido Ebert
