Ducati motorcycles have been using them since the '70s on many models.� Surely you've seen DESMO stickers or tattoos out there.

Stephen 

On Friday, May 23, 2014 1:41 PM, Stuart MacMillan <stuartmacm@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
  

I ran across this in an article on the 1955 Le Mans 24 hour race (the worst
motor racing accident in the history of the sport) and had never heard of
them.� But what a great word!

Those of you who are Ducati fans will know what they are:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desmodromic_valve

Drop this term at your next "Cars and Coffee" meet up and impress your
friends (maybe, or maybe not)!

Stuart