^ Yes, the Italians sure have been the dominant design force (particularly in the furniture and fashion industries) for a long time now.
Italian design has been hugely influential over the past 50 years, shaping and influencing the way the man-made world looks. They have been widely imitated.
Interestingly though, many of the biggest stars in Italian design today, were not born in Italy -- they come from all over the world.
One of the things that makes Italy different from many other countries is the very open-minded manufacturers who are willing to experiment and try new ideas. There is a very advanced design culture in Italy which encompasses all levels of industry.
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I guess I should point out that while most of the products I posted in the previous post are made in Italy, some are also made in The Netherlands, Finland, Denmark, and The USA . 