Olivetti Valentine
The Olivetti Valentine is an ultra-portable typewriter introduced by the Italian company Olivetti S.p.A. in 1968 and produced until 1975 in two generations. Intended to be a modern and affordable machine, the Valentine was in practice expensive and lacking in features compared to other typewriters in its class; however, its radical "deconstructed" design and effective advertising campaign by Olivetti left an enduring mark on popular culture and the product design industry.
Design
Mechanics
Visual Design
Variants
Almost all Olivetti Valentines are red and both "generations" are functionally identical. The internals are very similar if not identical to the Lettera 32.
First Generation
First generation Valentines can be identified by their small ribbon spool covers. Production numbered roughly ten thousand units.
Second Generation
Second generation Valentines have larger spool covers and, depending on where they were produced, be identified as a "Valentine S" on the inside of their case. Production numbers for the second generation are not definitively known but are believed to be significantly higher than the first generation.
Colors Other than Red
A very small number of Valentines were produced in different colors for specific markets:
- White for the Italian market (only available with QZERTY keyboards).
- Bleu de France (French Racing Blue) for the French market (only available with AZERTY keyboards).
- Green for Germany (only available with QWERTZ keyboards).
Notable Users
- Dieter Rams
- David Bowie
Collections
- Victoria & Albert Museum, South Kensington (on permanent display).
- Museum of Modern Art, New York.
- Smithsonian Cooper-Hewitt Design Museum, New York.
