In the early 1900s in Bologna there was great fervour in the electronics sector. Guglielmo Marconi was acclaimed throughout the world for the invention of radiotelegraphy. So Ducati started its epic journey with the radio. Adriano Cavalieri Ducati patented a short-wave transmitter, with which he could connect with the United States. Together with his brothers Bruno and Marcello, on 4 July 1926 they constituted Società Scientifica Radio Brevetti Ducati. The company produced the small Manens capacitor, assembled in a residence with two workers and a secretary.
The success was staggering: in 10 years Ducati provided work to thousands of workers and inaugurated the big facility in Borgo Panigale. With the war, however, the plant became the target of Allied bombardments, which destroyed it on 12 October 1944. From its rubble would commence the conversion into a motorcycle manufacturer and the new Ducati era.