Manfrotto is an Italian company, headquartered in Cassola, that designs, manufactures, and markets a wide range of high-quality camera and lighting support equipment and accessories for the professional photographic, film, theater, live entertainment, and video markets, as well as for enthusiast consumers. Founded in the late 1960s by Italian photojournalist Lino Manfrotto, the company initially focused on creating practical and robust solutions that were lacking in the existing market. In 1974, in collaboration with Gilberto Battocchio, Manfrotto launched its first tripod, which quickly gained international recognition for its innovation, lightness, and versatility.