If Underwood defined the typewriter's function, Olivetti defined its beauty. Founded in Ivrea, Italy in 1908, the company turned the typewriter from a cold office machine into a landmark of modern design. Every generation of Olivetti products was shaped by the finest architects and designers of its day — the portable Letter 22 is still regarded as a pinnacle of industrial design.
History
Engineer Camillo Olivetti founded the company in Ivrea in 1908, and the M1 of 1911 was its first mass-produced machine, quickly winning a reputation for superb mechanics. In the 1930s his son Adriano Olivetti took over and began infusing design and humanism into products — the Studio 42 (1935) is often called the first truly *designed* office typewriter.
In 1950 Marcello Nizzoli's Letter 22 portable arrived, weighing only about 4.5 kg; it won the Compasso d'Oro, Italy's top design award, in 1954. In 1969 Ettore Sottsass's red Valentine became a pop-culture icon. Olivetti bought Underwood in 1959 to enter the US market, and the typewriter era ended as the company reinvented itself in the 1990s.
What makes it special
- Peerless industrial design — Multiple Compasso d'Oro winners shaped Olivetti machines; they are permanent museum pieces.
- Elegant portables — The Letter 22 and Letter 32 balance size, weight and feel — favourites of writers and collectors.
- Bold color — The red Valentine mixed plastic and metal, making the typewriter a fashion object.
Classic models
| Model | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Olivetti M1 | 1911 | First mass-produced Olivetti |
| Olivetti Studio 42 | 1935 | First 'designed' office typewriter |
| Olivetti Lettera 22 | 1950 | 1954 Compasso d'Oro winner |
| Olivetti Lettera 32 | 1963 | Successor to the Letter 22, huge sales |
| Olivetti Valentine | 1969 | Designed by Ettore Sottsass, the red icon |
| Olivetti Studio 45 / Praxis | 1960s–70s | Later office machines |
Serial number dating (estimate)
Serial numbers give a rough production era. Precise dating needs the brand's official serial handbook.
| Period | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 1911 – 1930 | M1 and early models |
| 1931 – 1945 | Studio 42 era |
| 1946 – 1962 | Letter 22 production |
| 1963 – 1975 | Letter 32 / Valentine era |
Try it out
Want to try typing on a vintage machine or estimate a serial number? Both are free, in your browser.
More brands: Olivetti, Remington, Royal, Smith-Corona, Hermès, Olympia, IBM Selectric.