Category Archives: Olivetti Lettera 32

Typewriters meet Tech on April 29!

Philly Tech Week 2016 starts not with a bang, but with a beep, with the Dilworth ARCADE Party an evening bash for the digerati.

On Friday, April 29, the west side of Philadelphia’s City Hall will be jammed with coders, gamers, electronic musicians and more.

But WAIT–what’s that sound? That clickety, clack, ding! ?

techtype

LAST YEAR, WE HAD JUST TWO TYPEWRITERS AT THE ARCADE PARTY; they were a hit and we’ve been invited back to do a full-fledged Type-IN.

Yes, there will be a Type-IN at the Arcade, showing off the noisy mechanical roots of word processing to the youngest generation, digital natives for whom the typewriter has a completely different attraction.

Brian Kravitz (of Philly Typewriter) and Michael Ardith (of Hometown Business Machines) will be on hand with two rows full of manual typewriters, from vintage desk top machines to sleek Italian portables.

We’ll also have an IBM Selectric –arguably the peak of analog typewriting history–available to astonish those who’ve never seen a type-ball dance like a hummingbird pecking words onto paper.

We will have a Speed Competition, and other surprise activities for your type-writing pleasure. It’s free, of course–thanks to Messrs. Ardito and Kravitz, and Trophy Bikes , the semi-official stamp and paper sponsor of the Type-IN at Tech Week.

The ARCADE PARTY starts at 5 p.m.. We figure the Speed Competition (with chintzy prizes) will start at around 7:30 p.m. NOTE: spaces limited for the contest. Please sign up in advance when you arrive!

 

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Filed under Analog Events, Olivetti Lettera 32, Olympia SM9, public typewriting, Typewriters in the media

Design Quirk Resurfaces, 52 years later!

So here’s the OLIVETTI Lettera 32, designed in 1963 by Marcello Nizzoli as an up date to his classic Lettera 22.


–and here’s a 2015 FUJI Declaration urban fixie/single speed bike.


… Vereee Interesssting…. Yes we do sell that Fuji model at Trophy Bikes PHL. Thinking of bringing in an L32 to show next to it.

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Filed under Olivetti Lettera 22, Olivetti Lettera 32, Uncategorized

Typewriting the TOUR de FRANCE!

Incredible PELOTON story of an Italian reporter and his Olivetti Lettera 32 at the Tour de Frace, still a team after decades of covering cycling and other sports.

Reporter Gianni MURA covers Le Tour using his Olivetti Lettera 32.  STORY and PHOTOs by James STARTT.

Reporter Gianni MURA covers Le Tour using his Olivetti Lettera 32. STORY and PHOTOs by James STARTT.

Great writing and soulful pictures for Peloton by photojournalist James Startt.  Tomorrow I am going to write something about this great race on my Lettera 32; so inspiring! The Lettera 32 was always a favorite for on-the-scene reporting; there are great shots of it being used in Vietnam, and ringside at some of the greatest Ali fights.   ICYMI — here is a boss NYT story about James Startt and how he covers the world’s longest sporting event. Great stuff. Thanks, Gianni and James for getting out there and bringing the race stories to us.

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Filed under manual typewriter, Olivetti Lettera 32

Philly’s PRETZEL PARK Type-IN gets some media coverage

WHYY/Newsworks was nice enough to send a photog/reporter to cover last Saturdays clack-a-thon in the park. Have to laugh that the first photo is of me obviously chiding a young person: “Errrmph! Please type with just two fingers to avoid key jams–it’s like you’ve never used a manual typewriter before, really!”

Here’s the link to the Newsworks story.

And here are a few pics:

Young people encounter vintage typing machines...

Young people encounter vintage typing machines…

Bryan Kruk always brings some lovely machines; here a pair of Olivetti ICOs -- one in matte black and one in a glossy piano black. Bellissimo!

Bryan Kruk always brings some lovely machines; here’s a pair of Olivetti ICOs — one in matte black and one in a glossy piano black. Bellissimo, Mr. K!

Ah, such a crisp design could only foster concision!

Ah, such a crisp design could only foster concision!

Let's have a closer look at that OLIVETTI ICO, shall we? You know what's really annoying--that this machine types as beautifully as it looks! Thank you, men and women of Olivetti, S.A.

Let’s have a closer look at that OLIVETTI ICO, shall we? What’s really astonishing is that this machine types as beautifully as it looks! Thank you, men and women of Olivetti, S.A.

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Filed under Analog Events, Hermes, Hermes Ambassador, International Typewriter Appreciation Month, manual typewriter, Olivetti Lettera 22, Olivetti Lettera 32, Olympia SF Cursive, Olympia SG-1, Olympia SM 3, Olympia SM7, Olympia SM9, Olympia Socialite, public typewriting, Remington typewriter

The Remington Agenda

At Lucky’s Last Chance in Manayunk; typing up the agenda for Saturday’s Type-IN! (Olivetti Lettera 32 fueled with vintage Anheuser-Busch letterhead.  Tomorrow: gather up chintzy prizes for the Speed Contest, ha.  

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Filed under Analog Events, Corona Sterling, Olivetti Lettera 32, Philadelphia, public typewriting, Type-IN

Tweens Take Over Philly Type-IN!

When you schedule a Type-IN and it turns out to be set right next to a big Pumpkin Fest for kids, you toss the program out the window and just keep loading paper into those machines and unsticking the occasional rugby scrum of type bars. These Tweens dug typing, and we went way over schedule. Michael Ardito of Hometown Business Machines helped with crowd control, brought a stack of his typewriters and gave out a lot of cards. He also answered some typewriter history and technology questions from the kids. Numerous parents had whispered Xmas present conversations, about which we can say no more, nudge, nudge, wink-wink!

This young man comes from a typewriter-equipped home; he set to  and immediately began a chapter story.

This young man comes from a typewriter-equipped home; he set to and immediately began a chapter story.

This is about the fifth set of typers we had on the machines–and we had a blast. Thanks to one and all.

Here's a group pic of tomorrow's typists!

Here’s a group pic of tomorrow’s typists!

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Filed under Analog Events, Hermes Rocket Typewriter, manual typewriter, Olivetti Lettera 22, Olivetti Lettera 32, Olympia SF Cursive, Olympia SM 3, Olympia SM7, Olympia SM9, Olympia Socialite, Philadelphia, public typewriting, Remington typewriter, Type-IN

WORLD TYPEWRITER DAY wrap-up

Well, for WTD, decided to make use of a lovely electrical outlet right along the bike path near my house–loaded up a bike trailer hitched to the trusty Brompton folder bike with an IBM Selectric II, a long cord and a little school desk. Stuck an Olivetti Lettera 32 in the Brompton front bag and rode  7/10 of  a mile to the spot, right next to the Schuylkill.

Felt a bit like a snafu at first as runners and cyclists zipped past, not even bothering to look at the printout of the original Sholes, Glidden and Soule patent from June 23, 1868–much less the sheet proclaiming it World Typewriter Day. But soon enough some more curious types gave the Selectric a try.

Jay and Javier weigh in for World Typewriter Day

Jay and Javier weigh in for World Typewriter Day

Sadly, I was unable to follow through on R. Polt’s “alternative materials” suggestion. I had brought along a couple Chemex coffee filters to type on, but never got them out. Also a bit miffed that no one took me up on some suggested letter targets: had brought a sheet with the mailing addresses for President Obama, the Pope and Benedict Cumberbatch, among others. Maybe at the next Type-IN?

Millennial Youth writes analog letter with Selectric II, by the river's edge.

Millennial Youth writes analog letter with Selectric II, by the river’s edge.

But this young man, a recent Upenn grad, did take the time to write a quick letter to a family member–I lent him a fountain pen to sign it with. Both action were firsts for him, I believe, and I suspect, for the letter’s recipient.  As the sun dipped low, loaded everything back onto the trailer and was home in time for a little dinner. Bless you, U.S. Patent Office, for making this World Typewriter Day possible.

PS -An hour later, the mailbox had a snack, clunking its satisfaction at the evening treat from our Penn grad, now a consultant for Accenture.

 

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Filed under IBM SELECTRIC, International Typewriter Appreciation Month, Olivetti Lettera 32, public typewriting, Type-IN

AD HOC TYPE IN

Found myself selling some excess typers at the FRANKLIN FLEA in Philadelphia — a nice gal from Singapore and her entourage took turns trying out the machines. She bought an inexpensive Traveler C to bring back home… and will be bringing a Type-IN to Singapore, I predict.

SINGA

 

PS– if you’re near Philadelphia on SAT, Dec. 21, stop by the FRANKLIN FLEA to check out my booth full of manual typewriters, slide rules, Rolodexes and Filofaxes, Cassette machines and more.  (801 Market St., 10-5pm — 45 vintage dealers–and me)

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Filed under manual typewriter, Olivetti Lettera 32, Rolodex, Type-IN

TWO TYPE-INs coming to Philadelphia: 13 Sept. + 19 Oct.

215a

 

SO– Here’s the scoop: first one (Friday, 19 Sept.)  is a big benefit to help make the 215 Lit Fest happen. So it costs money (a cool twenty), but you will have a good time in a bookstore like you have never seen.There will be typewriters, including an Olivetti Lettera 32 on auction, and other goodies.

Details RIGHT HERE.

Second one (Sat., 19 October) is part and parcel of the 215 Fest, which will bring a great array of literary and musical talent to Philadelphia. It’s outside, free and will feature amplified typewriter haiku… among other things! DETAILS SOON.

 

 

 

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Filed under Amtrak, manual typewriter, Olivetti Lettera 32, Philadelphia, public typewriting, Type-IN

Embarrassed at a Party

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August 16, 2013 · 11:41 am