Car. In 1901 Pirelli filed the patent for its first automobile tyre: the “tipo Ercole”. A few years later, in 1904, the “semelle” tread pattern with anti-skid function was also registered.

Towards the end of the decade carbon black was also introduced into the compounds: this was the “tipo Neroferrato”. In 1907, the team of Borghese, Guizzardi and Barzini, in an Itala with Pirelli tyres, won the Peking-Paris raid.These were 17,000 very tough kilometres that consecrated the three Italians and their Pirelli-shod Itala

Motorcycle. 1900 - 1920:  Pirelli Motorcycle tyres are already successful in not only racing, but also several prestigious World Records.

Car. In 1913 the French driver George Boillot, in a Peugeot 5.6 lt. fitted with Pirelli tyres, won the French Grand Prix. This was the "prehistory" of Formula 1 (the first World Championship was only in 1950).

In the meantime research and testing continued on materials and tread patterns: the most important invention was the rubberized fabric "unwoven cord", which enables uniform rubberising of the tyre fabric and therefore a more reliable tyre.

Motorcycle. 1900 - 1920: Pirelli Motorcycle tyres are already successful in not only racing, but also several prestigious World Records.

Car. In 1924 it was the turn of the Pirelli Superflex low-pressure tyre. With these tyres the Alfa Romeo P2s of Antonio Ascari and Giuseppe Campari began a long season of victories for the team formed by Alfa Romeo and Pirelli. In 1925 Gastone Brilli Peri – again in an Alfa Romeo – won the first Grand Prix World Championship at Monza.

The Twenties were to be extremely important for the development of tyre technology. In 1929 it was the turn of the Superflex Stella Bianca car tyre: the first product resulting from technology developed in motorsport

Motorcycle. 1920's and 1930's: The legendary Stanley Woods dominates the Isle of Man TT with Pirelli Corsa motorcycle tyres. Pirelli new "Moto Cord" motorcycle tyres were used to set the World Speed Records in 1935, 1937, and 1938 by Taruffi, and by Ombono Tenni in 1938.