Silvio Corradi - Genio incompreso Silvio Corradi
inventor
 
Silvio Corradi - nuova teoria astronomica Astronomical Theory  
Silvio Corradi - il domatore di fiumi The tamer of rivers  
Agricoltura - un nuovo metodo di semina A new method of seeding
 
Silvia Corradi - Pioggia Artificiale Artificial Rain  
Silvio Corradi e la fisiologia Silvio Corradi and physiology  
Silvio Corradi - le altre invenzioni Other Inventions  
Silvio Corradi - opera libraria Bibliography  
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Il domatore di Fiumi
 
Silvio Corradi was born in Fontanellato, less than 20 kilometers from Parma (Italy) on July 11, 1890; his family were respected farmers, long known for a particular trait of ingenuity.

As often happened at that time, despite a brilliant intellect, he did not go beyond elementary school, devoting himself especially to the country side. Moreover, contrary to the habits of Italy in that period, in the Corradi family it was the daughters who studied most.
Already on July 14, 1912, during military service, he was able to distinguish himself for valor during the Italo-Turkish War, for which on March 23, 1913 a commendation ceremony was held.

In October 1913, still in military service in Vicenza, he made his first observations on the behavior of the river Astico in full flood, in the presence of abundant debris. But Italy was on the threshold of war again, and soon there was another significant event in his life. On September 18, 1916, he was struck on the Vallone near Doberdò (Gorizia), by an Austrian bullet that, after having touched his heart and made a long and dangerous path between his vital organs, including the stomach and pancreas, stopped in his liver. Silvio Corradi had an uncommon innate awareness of his body and, despite the severity of the injury, knew that surgery would be too dangerous. He asked to be left immobile and not be operated, and, due to the high esteem in which he was held, his request was granted. The wound healed and the bullet remained in the liver for the rest of his life without additional damage.

  Silvio Corradi - il domatore di fiumi When he returned to his activities as a farmer he spent his entire life in Vigatto, a small village 11 km from Parma. He began to take an interest in the regulation of rivers and their banks, a subject of great interest to those living in the Po valley, where the Po and its tributaries are an essential element of life for all.

In 1937 he obtained a patent on his method for automatic regulation of watercourses although his research continued to be coolly received by the authorities involved.

Only in 1943, despite the particularly difficult moment for the country, he captured the interest of Marcello Lelli, director of the Hydraulics Institute of Genoa. An engineer, Lelli, conducted a series of successful laboratory experiments and wrote an extensive report for the Civil Engineering of Parma and the hydraulic engineering department of the Consortium for the Defence of the Parma stream, proposing to take action on a section of the river using the “Corradisystem”.

Agricultural training and an innate curiosity about everything around him led Silvio Corradi to tackle the problem of drought and to devise a method to bring rain artificially. However, in 1944 it was difficult to interest the authorities in such issues. Silvio Corradi therefore turned to the offices of the American occupying forces.
 
The approach fell flat but in November 1946 news arrived that an American, Vincent J. Schaefer, had filed a patent in the United States for artificial rain using his same method. Silvio Corradi had designed it at least two years before as testified by Lelli.

In the postwar years, despite the bitterness for not having received recognition of his rain system he continued to insist on experimentation of his channeling system of waterways for which in 1949-1950 he finally received some official recognition.

This period also saw the birth of his interest for astronomy. As a keen observer of everything around him he wondered what were the celestial motions. And following as always his instinct, rather than looking for answers in scientific texts, he decided to study the problem directly observing celestial phenomena. After studies lasting years he developed a new astronomical theory. This notorious theory brought him in to contact with several scientific groups, but his theory was welcomed with skepticism. Only abroad there was interest and recognition of the genius of many of his insights, a fate common to many Italian scholars and researchers.

To demonstrate celestial motion according to his theory he created a planetarium which could reproduce all the complex movements made by celestial planets. It differed from all other planetariums constructed to explain the Copernican theory for one fundamental characteristic: that of taking into account both the motion of rotation and the motion of revolution of the earth long with the motion of the moon.
 
Corradi's interests were not only for the outside world but also regarding the functioning of the human body. This was clearly demonstrated when he was wounded in the war. In further studies of human physiology, and in particular the relationship between combustion and cellular assimilation, he developed a theory regarding the formation of tumors. This researcher from Parma did not propose any treatment for cancer but offered a key to understanding the causes that generate tumors and the possible context in which tumors develop.
In the elaboration of his theory on breathing and oxygen therapy the contribution made by his sister Anna was crucial. A graduate in chemistry and pharmacy, she changed from a skeptical opponent into a valuable contributor and tireless supporter of all his inventions.
 
His theories about the channeling of rivers were the most examined, even if the experimental application had to be partially self-financed given the lack of public resources. The astronomical theories earned him some feedback from the media. Attracted by this remarkable figure of country gentleman inventor , journalists coined from time to time differing eccentric definitions.
Less striking due to its relation with his farming activities, is his invention of a method of cultivating wheat which lowered the amount of seed sown and more than doubled the amount of grain at harvest.

In this brief biography the major interests of Silvio Corradi who made other inventions and discoveries have been considered. Due to the ageing process his activity forcibly slowed, until his death in 1970. The mind of Silvio Corradi was so fertile in ideas, theories and discoveries that this aspect of his character at the end overrides all others. It overshadows the other sides of his character, such as tenacity, modesty and devotion to his family, which was reciprocated.
His was a singular fate. His curiosity for the new and the unknown led him on unfamiliar roads. His irrepressible desire to communicate his insights to others led him to clash with the distrust and prejudice that associates the inventor of an idea with being extravagant or crazy rather than a genius.
 
Silvio Corradi - genio misconosciuto