On my way to my physical therapy appointment in the Cipro neighborhood of Rome, I always pass by a small Olivetti repair shop. As soon as I saw the name, I remembered the brand and started to wonder: what happened to this company that was once at the forefront of technology? This story cuts even deeper than I would have anticipated. Thank you for rendering it in such an insightful and sensitive way. I'm not Italian, but I love this country and its culture-- it's literally painful to read stories like this, which could be echoed across so many industries (aerospace is another). If there's ever a political revolution in Italy, and there probably needs to be, it should be over these "missed opportunities". As we all know from our personal experience, add up enough of those "occasioni mancati" and you've written your own history.
The Olivetti museum in the corner of Piazza San Marco in Venice is an architectural gem of MCM design, and full of vintage machines, and should not be missed! https://maps.app.goo.gl/Y7bJa4yW6ve6jD5MA?g_st=ic
My apologies, especially since it is in English! Mid-century Modern, and a jewel of Carlo Scarpa. The Fondazioni Querini Stampalia ground floor and gardens are his masterpiece ❤️
My father was an Olivetti typewriter repairman when I was a child, on Vancouver Island.
That’s so cool.
I think I first came across the typewriter Olivetti in Agatha Christie books. So sad how it was allowed to collapse. Very interesting article
Thank you, Larissa. As a kid, I so wanted one.
On my way to my physical therapy appointment in the Cipro neighborhood of Rome, I always pass by a small Olivetti repair shop. As soon as I saw the name, I remembered the brand and started to wonder: what happened to this company that was once at the forefront of technology? This story cuts even deeper than I would have anticipated. Thank you for rendering it in such an insightful and sensitive way. I'm not Italian, but I love this country and its culture-- it's literally painful to read stories like this, which could be echoed across so many industries (aerospace is another). If there's ever a political revolution in Italy, and there probably needs to be, it should be over these "missed opportunities". As we all know from our personal experience, add up enough of those "occasioni mancati" and you've written your own history.
The Olivetti museum in the corner of Piazza San Marco in Venice is an architectural gem of MCM design, and full of vintage machines, and should not be missed! https://maps.app.goo.gl/Y7bJa4yW6ve6jD5MA?g_st=ic
What is MCM design? The museum is Scarpa, right? Regardless, what a wonderful and enlightening (knew nothing of ivrea and will be going) piece.
Mid-century Modern Design. Specifically that was designed by the legendary Carlo Scarpa.
Ah. The problem with acronyms. Thanks.
My apologies, especially since it is in English! Mid-century Modern, and a jewel of Carlo Scarpa. The Fondazioni Querini Stampalia ground floor and gardens are his masterpiece ❤️
Great point, Marshall. I almost included a photo of the Negozio Olivetti, but I cut it to keep the article focused on Ivrea.
Really really interesting thank you! We gotta pay Ivrea a visit...
Thank you very much. 🙏🏻 It’s well worth it. As you know, UNESCO doesn’t list places willy-nilly.
You're right!