Basic gear from mid-twentieth-century Italy: Mares and Pirelli

[David Wilson]

And so we move into the late 1960s and the early 1970s with the Pirelli Alcione.

1966

A price reduction for the smallest-sized all-rubber Alcione and a monochrome image of the plastic Alcione, now available in light blue only.

1967

1974

Italian: "Pinne Pirelli. L'elettronica al servizio del nuoto subacqueo. Macchine modernissime peri più severi tests di collaudo. L'esperienza tecnologica dei nostri laboratori i ricerca, le basse “isteresi” dei materiali impiegati, i modelli realizzati dopo lunghe prove di rendimento, con esposizione agli agenti atmosferici (raggi ultravioletti, ozono, salsedine) ci consentono di realizzare la più vasta gamma di pinne che soddisfa le esigenze sia del dilettante che del professionista. Tutti i modelli offrono un morbido alloggiamento del piede, consentono scioltezza di movimento e rendimento superiore, con una perfetta e sincronizzata equilibratura fra la forza muscolare impiegata e il volume d’acqua spostata. Alcione. Leggere ed efficienti. Sono per eccellenza le pinne che consentono scioltezza di movimento senza problemi di alto rendimento. Qualità galleggiante. Colori: azzurro, giallo, nero, secondo la disponibilità. Numero 25-27. Numero 28-30. Numero 31-33. Numero 34-36. Numero 37-39. Numero 40-41. Numero 42-43. Numero 44-46. Numero 47-48. Imballo di spedizione: scatole da 5 paia."
Rough translation: "Pirelli fins. Electronics at the service of underwater swimming. State-of-the-art machines for the most severe testing tests. The technological experience of our research laboratories, the low "hysteresis" of the materials used, the models made after long performance tests, with exposure to atmospheric agents (ultraviolet rays, ozone, salt) allow us to create the widest range of fins that meets the needs of both the amateur and the professional. All models offer a soft foot pocket, allow for ease of movement and superior performance, with a perfect and synchronised balance between the muscular force being used and the volume of water being moved. Alcione. Light and efficient. They are the fins par excellence that allow freedom of movement without high performance problems. Floating quality. Colours: light-blue, yellow, black, depending on availability. Size 25-27. Size 28-30. Size 31-33. Size 34-36. Size 37-39. Size 40-41. Size 42-43. Size 44-46. Size 47-48. Shipping packaging: boxes of 5 pairs."

So the 1970s bring Pirelli fins into the age of science and technology. The all-rubber Alcione is now the sole Pirelli model to have débuted during the 1950s when it had closed toes and straight blades, to have survived the 1960s when it acquired its open toes and offset blades and to be still thriving in the mid-1970s alongside a new range of fins launched during the late 1960s.

 

[David Wilson]

We finish today with an overview of the Alcione, Pirelli's flag-ship and longest-lived fin. While the diving communities of Western Europe and North America had taken Cressi Rondine full-foot fins to their hearts by the mid-1950s, Pirelli Alciones required a little longer to establish themselves on both sides of the Atlantic. Here is a Palley advertisement published in the 28 June 1961 issue Los Angeles Times:

You can see the Alcione half-way down the left-hand column, still with its closed toe and straight blade, alongside a range of imported Pirelli products including a diving mask and a neoprene wetsuit.

The eventual open-toe, offset-blade Alcione design had its imitators, and "imitation is the sincerest form of flattery" as the saying goes. Note the resemblance between the Pirelli Alciones below:

and the following Hemus Dolphins [ХЕМУС Делфин] made in the People's Republic of Bulgaria:

As early as 1959, a Bulgarian company was manufacturing Cavalero-Champion and Pirelli designed fins to equip athletes in national finswimming, freediving and underwater orienteering competitions. By the early 1960s, Bulgaria had designed its own competitive long-bladed fin, the Giant [Гигант], which was the envy of Eastern Europe. Read more at Basic gear from the People's Republic of Bulgaria.

Finally for today, a couple of auction images of Pirelli Alcione fins:

I hope the story of the Pirelli Alcione has been of some interest. Next time, midweek, we shall embark on another Pirelli fin review, probably focusing on the SM model. Until then, keep yourself and everybody else safe and well.

 

[David Wilson]

Thanks for the likes, guys!

Now for today's fin, which first appeared in a new series of diving products Pirelli named "SM 67 professional" after its target clientèle and launch year: 1967. An Italian diving magazine issue of that year provided an overview of the range (below). I have appended the original Italian caption relating to the SM 67 fins with a rough translation:

Italian: "Le pinne: la forma, l'angolazione, le costolature e la rastrematura della pala sono state studiate per le specifiche esigenze dei professionisti e degli specialisti. Sono a scarpetta, con punta aperta ed hanno 4 canali di spinta. Nuotando in superficie, la parte impegnata delle pinne è quella anteriore che si presenta molto elastica; sott'acqua, invece, è impegnata l'intera pala: il volume d'acqua spostata è superiore, sicché si ha una maggiore spinta. A richiesta, possono essere fornite anche nella versione non galleggiante, senza aumento di prezzo che va da L. 2.400 a L. 3.300.
Rough translation: "The fins: the shape, angle, ribs and taper of the blade have been designed for the specific needs of professionals and specialists. They are full-foot open-toe fins and come with four thrust channels. When swimming on the surface, the engaged part of the fins is the front one which is very elastic; underwater, on the other hand, the entire blade is engaged: the volume of water displaced is greater, so that there is a greater thrust. On request, they can also be supplied in the non-floating version with no increase in price, which ranges from L. 2,400 to L. 3,300.

And here is the 1967 Pirelli catalogue entry:

Italian: "Pinne. A scarpetta, con punta aperta. In gomma nera di particolare resistenza ed elasticità. Elevate qualità tecniche, in particolare: forma, angolazione, costolature, rastrematura della pala; studiate per le specifiche esigenze dei professionisti e degli specialisti. A richiesta possono essere fornite in qualità non gallegiante."
Rough translation: "Fins. Full foot with open toe. Black rubber of particular strength and elasticity. High technical qualities, in particular: shape, angle, ribs, taper of the blade; designed for the specific needs of professionals and specialists. On request, they can be supplied as non-floating."

So the SM 67 professional fin was marketed as a relatively high-end outcome of thorough research and development about to target a more discriminating and less price-conscious consumer. As for the science and technology underlying the new design, I shall leave others to judge the evidence for, and plausibility of, Pirelli's explanation of the fin's blade geometry and hydrodynamic efficiency in the product description.

1969

The above from a German-language catalogue published that year.

 

[David Wilson]

The SM 67 professional fin survived into the 1970s.

1974

Italian: "Pinne Pirelli. L'elettronica al servizio del nuoto subacqueo. Macchine modernissime peri più severi tests di collaudo. L'esperienza tecnologica dei nostri laboratori i ricerca, le basse “isteresi” dei materiali impiegati, i modelli realizzati dopo lunghe prove di rendimento, con esposizione agli agenti atmosferici (raggi ultravioletti, ozono, salsedine) ci consentono di realizzare la più vasta gamma di pinne che soddisfa le esigenze sia del dilettante che del professionista. Tutti i modelli offrono un morbido alloggiamento del piede, consentono scioltezza di movimento e rendimento superiore, con una perfetta e sincronizzata equilibratura fra la forza muscolare impiegata e il volume d’acqua spostata. SM 67 professional. Per sub professionisti e specialisti. Elevate qualita tecniche, in particolare forma, angolazione, costolature, rastrematura della pala. Colore nero non galleggiante. Numero 34-36. Numero 36-38. Numero 38-40. Numero 40-42. Numero 42-44. Numero 44-46. Imballo di spedizione: scatole da 5 paia."
Rough translation: "Pirelli fins. Electronics at the service of underwater swimming. State-of-the-art machines for the most severe testing tests. The technological experience of our research laboratories, the low "hysteresis" of the materials used, the models made after long performance tests, with exposure to atmospheric agents (ultraviolet rays, ozone, salt) allow us to create the widest range of fins that meets the needs of both the amateur and the professional. All models offer a soft foot pocket, allow for ease of movement and superior performance, with a perfect and synchronised balance between the muscular force being used and the volume of water being moved. SM 67 professional. For professional divers and specialists. Advanced technical qualities, in particular shape, angle, ribs, taper of the blade. Non-floating black colour. Size 34-36. Size 36-38. Size 38-40. Size 40-42. Size 42-44. Size 44-46. Shipping packaging: boxes of 5 pairs."

Emphasis again on the SM 67 professional as a state-of-the-art exemplar of scientific fin design. The following year, the fin received a new name: "Spinta", Italian for "thrust".

1975

Italian: "Spinta: Elevate qualità tecniche, in particolare: forma, angolazione, costolature e rastrematura della pala, rendono queste pinne preferite per un impiego a livello professionale."
Rough translation: "Spinta: Advanced technical qualities, in particular: shape, angle, ribs and taper of the blade, make these fins the preferred choice for professional use."

1979

Italian: "La Ulixes Diving Equipment, presenta le nuove pinne SPINTA, adatte sia all’immersione sportiva che a quella professionale. In gomma nera non galleggiante, hanno una pala piuttosto larga, leggermente angolata sulla scarpetta, che è ir robustita da due costolature laterali. Sono di sponibili nelle misure da 34-36 (circa L. 12.000) a 44-46 (circa L.16.000). I prezzi, indicativi, comprendono l'Iva."
Rough translation: "Ulixes Diving Equipment presents the new SPINTA fins, suitable for both recreational and professional diving. In non-floating black rubber, they have a rather wide blade, slightly angled on the foot pocket, which is strengthened by two lateral ribs. They are available in sizes from 34-36 (about 12,000 lire) to 44-46 (about 16,000 lire). The prices, indicative, include VAT."

The above from the same Italian diving magazine with which we started today. We finish today with some auction pictures of the Pirelli SM 67 professional/Spinta:

That's my lot for today. At the weekend, we shall review the Pirelli Seawing (or "Sea Wings") fin. Keep safe and well in the meantime.

 

[Popgun Pete]

I see the last catalogue page shows the Farallon Fara Fin I and Fara Fin II. I wonder if the introduction of plastic fins put an end to Pirelli's dive product line as in the seventies dive fins begin to switch from compression moulded rubber laid up in blocks of different compounds to injection moulded plastics with bonded components.

 

[David Wilson]

I see the last catalogue page shows the Farallon Fara Fin I and Fara Fin II. I wonder if the introduction of plastic fins put an end to Pirelli's dive product line as in the seventies dive fins begin to switch from compression moulded rubber laid up in blocks of different compounds to injection moulded plastics with bonded components.

I wonder about that too. Mares started the injection-moulded plastic fin bandwagon rolling in Italy and the country's fin manufacturers, including Cressi, eventually all jumped aboard, apart from Francis sub in Sicily, which continued into the new millennium making rubber fins for the swim training market. Mares sent their rubber fin moulds to Turkey to be used by a number of small Istanbul rubber goods plants. Cressi's old Rondine moulds went to South America. Other European manufacturers sent their moulds to Malaysia, whose rubber plantations now supplied the country's new rubber consumer goods manufacturers for the export trade in response to the start of outsourcing of manufacturing in the West.

 

[David Wilson]

Thanks, everyone, for the feedback and likes.

Now for the Pirelli Sea Wing. Here is a detail from an ad in the November 1973 issue of the British Sub Aqua Club journal Triton:

The ad was placed by the London diving equipment retailer Collins & Chambers and captioned thus. "To ensure you have a happy Christmas and to help your family get over the problem of 'what to give you', we are running a gift suggestion telephone call service. All they have to do is to call us and say how much they want to spend and we will give a run down of items in that particular price bracket including details of our special offers." A pair of Pirelli Seawing fins was one of the items the firm had in stock ready and waiting to be pre-purchased as a 1973 Christmas present for the member of a British family who enjoyed diving.

As you can see, this model resembles the Pirelli SM 67/Spinta fin, except for the blade design. While the thin, low ribs of the SM67/Spinta's look a little on the cosmetic side, the Seawing's ribbing clearly serves the purpose of blade reinforcement. The use of the adjective "fluted" to describe the Seawing's blade design may ring a bell with British divers of a certain age. According to the 1956 version of Skinner's handbook, one of the earliest catalogues of the British diving equipment manufacturer Typhoon International, the "fluted Typhoon swimfin" was "covered by British Patent No. 746764":

The mid-1950s British-made Typhoon Surfmaster was the first model in this range of "fluted swimfins":

They proved very popular with UK snorkel and scuba divers back then:

 

[David Wilson]

Here is the Seawing (aka "Sea Wings") in the Pirelli catalogue of 1974:

Italian: "Pinne Pirelli. L'elettronica al servizio del nuoto subacqueo. Macchine modernissime peri più severi tests di collaudo. L'esperienza tecnologica dei nostri laboratori i ricerca, le basse “isteresi” dei materiali impiegati, i modelli realizzati dopo lunghe prove di rendimento, con esposizione agli agenti atmosferici (raggi ultravioletti, ozono, salsedine) ci consentono di realizzare la più vasta gamma di pinne che soddisfa le esigenze sia del dilettante che del professionista. Tutti i modelli offrono un morbido alloggiamento del piede, consentono scioltezza di movimento e rendimento superiore, con una perfetta e sincronizzata equilibratura fra la forza muscolare impiegata e il volume d’acqua spostata. Sea Wings. Per ottenere prestazione di rilievo senza un eccessivo sforzo muscolare. Elevate qualità techniche, in particolare: pala allungata a canali idrodinamici unidirezionali. Qualità galleggiante/Colori: azzurro, giallo, grigio, aragosta. Numero 34-36. Numero 36-38. Numero 38-40. Numero 40-42. Numero 42-44. Numero 44-46. Imballo di spedizione: scatole da 5 paia."
Rough translation: "Pirelli fins. Electronics at the service of underwater swimming. State-of-the-art machines for the most severe testing tests. The technological experience of our research laboratories, the low "hysteresis" of the materials used, the models made after long performance tests, with exposure to atmospheric agents (ultraviolet rays, ozone, salt) allow us to create the widest range of fins that meets the needs of both the amateur and the professional. All models offer a soft foot pocket, allow for ease of movement and superior performance, with a perfect and synchronised balance between the muscular force being used and the volume of water being moved. Sea Wings. To obtain outstanding performance without excessive muscular effort. Advanced technical qualities, in particular an elongated blade with unidirectional hydrodynamic channels. Floating quality / Colours: light-blue, yellow, grey, bright-orange. Size 34-36. Size 36-38. Size 38-40. Size 40-42. Size 42-44. Size 44-46. Shipping packaging: boxes of 5 pairs."

"Prestazione di rilievo senza un eccessivo sforzo muscolare" — "outstanding performance without excessive muscular effort": what every manufacturer, retailer or end-user supposedly wants when it comes to a pair of fins. And yet 1974 turned out to be the second and final year in the Seawing/Sea Wings timeline I have managed to trace from printed sources. In the 1975 Pirelli catalogue a new in-house fin model appeared in its place: the "Cormoran". We shall review the latter some time mid-week, possibly alongside a couple of other Pirelli fins remaining to be considered: the "Libelle" and the "Acquastream". In the meantime, keep yourself and everyone else safe and well.

 

[Angelo Farina]

I find the Fara Fin I a very original design, which does not rely on the ankles for transmitting force from the muscles in the legs to the fin...
Do you plan to describe it in more detail in the following posts?
I remember that also one of the first monofins available in the seventies was employing a similar approach, but I do not remember its brand name...

 

[David Wilson]

I find the Fara Fin I a very original design, which does not rely on the ankles for transmitting force from the muscles in the legs to the fin...
Do you plan to describe it in more detail in the following posts?
I remember that also one of the first monofins available in the seventies was employing a similar approach, but I do not remember its brand name...

I wasn't intending to include the Fara Fin because Pirelli imported it from the USA, where it was manufactured. I am also aware that there are members of this forum far more knowledgeable about Fara Fins than I am, notably @John C. Ratliff, who owns several pairs and has dived with them. As a favour, I'll post what I know from my own files about Fara Fins once I have completed reviewing the remaining fins actually made by Pirelli.

A while ago, I researched the development of the monofin between the late 1940s and the early 1970s, posting what I found out in their Wikipedia article. To the best of my knowledge, no commercial brand of monofin emerged during those decades, although I can't speak for what may have happened later in the 1970s and beyond. I've always regarded the fabrication of monofins as something of a cottage industry, while bigger diving equipment manufacturers such as Barakuda of Germany and Nemrod of Spain filed and received monofin patents without ever going as far as mass-producing them.