 Countries sponsoring delegates and providing major contributions to the IWM throughout the years include the United States, France, Japan, Germany, Finland (and other Scandinavian countries), Italy, Belgium, Canada, and the United Kingdom.The late Dr. Fernando Lizzi of Naples, Italy, who developed the concept of pali radice (root piles), is regarded fondly as the visionary leader of ISM.He obtained the first micropile patents in 1952, and has used micropiles in the restoration of many important and historic monuments internationally.