Olivetti Lettera 22 Typewriter

From Object Wiki

Olivetti Lettera 22 Typewriter

Manufacturer	Olivetti
Production years	c. 1960
Production location	Italy

The Olivetti Lettera 22 was an award-winning portable mechanical typewriter designed by Marcello Nizzoli in 1950. It was awarded the Compasso d’Oro prize in 1954. In 1959, the Illinois Technology Institute chose the Lettera 22 as the best design product of the last 100 years. Olivetti became a notable sponsor for a new wave of Italian designers.

1 How it works
2 Memories
3 Images
4 In the Science Museum

[edit] How it works

A mechanical keyboard is connected to typebars with embossed letters on them. Levers move the typebars when the keys are pressed. The embossed letters strike the inked ribbon, then push it into the paper leaving a mark.

[edit] Memories

I remember writing letters and homework on small and large Olivetti typewriters.

— anon

This item was well used initially in play and then as I got older, in school work and eventually university study. A classic design - heavy although portable; the blueish-grey colour gave it a certain panacahe - my parents still have it in its zipped case - but now it never sees the light of day alas.

— anon

I remember playing with an Olivetti as a child and later using it to take my teaching course! My one had a memory facility to save frequently typed letters .Oh! the joy of never having to deal with a grumpy printer again - can you still buy typewriters?

— Janette

Although not related to this particular (although very popular) model, my typing skills have been developed when I was about 9-10 years old by playing on an Olivetti mechanical typewriter that was being dismissed (but it was fully functional). Not that my typing skills are very sophisticated, I am certainly not a typist, but at least I can use up to 6-7 fingers instead of two, unlike most of my computer-literate colleagues!

— ste, Italy

Do you remember this typewriter? Add your memories.