The doctorate in Italy was officially instituted [in 1982](https://www.gazzettaufficiale.it/do/gazzetta/downloadPdf?dataPubblicazioneGazzetta=19820920&numeroGazzetta=259&tipoSerie=FO&tipoSupplemento=SO&numeroSupplemento=57&progressivo=0&estensione=pdf&edizione=0), and the first courses started in 1983, so it was definitely not a common thing in the 1980s. People even got full professor positions without having one (since it did not exist).

Post-secondary education was not standardized across nations then like it is today; Italian scientists did their first research experiences with other research contracts, 'assistantships' (*assistente*) and other early-career positions that just weren't formally a PhD and did not end with discussing a thesis.