INNOVATION TIMELINE

ONCE UPON A TIME

1818

The GRIVEL family of blacksmiths started to transform their production of agricultural tools into what would later become mountain equipment. In a sea of scepticism the first ice axe was born.

1909

The English engineer Oscar Eckenstein was met with similar scepticism when he asked Henry Grivel to manufacture the first modern crampon in history.

1929

Henry’s son, Laurent, came up with the brilliant invention of the two

front points, allowing climbers to stand face-on whilst attacking the steep ice and snow gradients.

1936

Camillo and Aimé, Laurent’s brothers, using the Chromoly ally (Nickel-Chrome-Molybdenum), created a really strong crampon, thinner and lighter than the others, at just 360g per pair. These crampons, the

Super Leggero Grivel, have been used to conquer the three highest peaks in the world: Everest, K2 and Kangchenjunga.

1994

GRIVEL presented its new crampons with four different binding systems, suitable for all types of boots and different functions. The use of plastic for the first time would find many imitators!

1993

Rambo crampon was launched, a rigid crampon with a stable platform and no vibrations. The introduction of forged front points was a huge improvement.

1986

GRIVEL’s Super Courmayeur system, with its spare interchangeable picks and shovels, established itself as market leader.

1986

GRIVEL released the world’s first carbon fibre shaft.

1982

New management, led by Gioachino Gobbi, was convinced that over a hundred years of tradition and conquests, the brand name and the company’s location were a recipe for future success. MARIUS GRAF / ALAMY*