Originally Posted by
chaadster
Campagnolo’s history of innovation is unequaled. So much stuff, like internal cable routing, G3 wheel lacing, aero rims like Shamal and Bora, ceramic bearings, carbon fiber derailleurs and cranks, Ergopower shift ears and multi-gear shifting with Ultrashift, Hirth joint Ultratorque chainset, use of titanium like the Record seatpost. They were first to introduce 10, 11, 12 and 13 speed groupsets, the first with a compact drivetrain, the first tensile structure disc wheel, the N3W freehub that is uniquely backwards and forwards compatible between 10 and 13 speed cassettes.
Campy haven’t invented everything, but their history of innovation runs right up to today and is unequaled in the world of cyclling.
Analogizing to the American watch industry again - Hamilton and Elgin both tried to innovate their way out of their problems. Hamilton marketed the very first battery powered watch, and Elgin created a completely new self-winding movement, and a free-sprung balance which was also shock-absorbing. It didn't help, because their products were still too expensive and they were unable to sell them at a price that was profitable.