Nizzoli took over on a consultancy basis the design of all Olivetti's products in 1936. He was concerned especially with the appearance of the products rather than with how they worked. With this typewriter Olivetti became the first manufacturer to make the standard office typewriter into an object of style. Its mechanical components are hidden in an elegant grey casing. Its production ceased in 1968.
Physical description
Upright typewriter with the standard qwerty keyboard; the keys of circular black plastic with white numerals with the exception of the back space key in the top right hand corner which is picked out in burnt orange. The grey steel envelope has straight sides and back with curved edges. The front hood which is domed is completely detachable for access to the mechanism has softly rounded edges and a curved front. Its lower edge dips down in a broad arc. The central window to allow the keys to strike the platen is a continuously curved lozenge. The carriage, when moved into its central position, fits precisely into the side profiles of the stationary back bar. The chromed levers and handles grouped at either end of the carriage are subordinated to the strong sculptural character of the body. The back of the carriage is relieved by a series of closely aligned, parallel channels.
Place of Origin
Great Britain, UK (made)
Date
1942-1968 (made)
Artist/maker
Nizzoli, Marcello, born 1887 - died 1969 (designer)
British Olivetti Ltd (manufacturer)
Materials and Techniques
Pressed steel, chromed steel and plastic
Marks and inscriptions
olivetti / Made in Great Britain
Lexicon 80
British Olivetti Ltd. Glasgow / Made in Great Britain
Dimensions
Height: 23 cm, Width: 56 cm maximum, Depth: 37.5 cm
Object history note
This object was selected by the Core Committee of the Twentieth Century Gallery Project. Found in PDP.
Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)
Objects of Desire, Design and Society 1750-1980, Adrian Forty, London, 1986, pp.152-3
An introduction to Design and Culture in the Twentieth Century, Penny Sparke, London, 1986, p.183
Olivetti: Design in Industry, Museum of Modern Art Bulletin, New York, 1952
Design Process Olivetti 1908-1978, Los Angeles: University of California, Frederick S. Wright Gallery, 1979
Labels and date
TYPEWRITER: OLIVETTI LEXICON 80
Designed by Marcello Nizzoli (Italian, 1910-1977) [sic - 1887-1969]
Made by British Olivetti Ltd., Italy, from 1942
Pressed steel, chromed steel and plastic
Nizzoli took over on a consultancy basis the design of all Olivetti's products in 1936. He was concerned especially with the appearance of the products rather than with how they worked. With this typewriter Olivetti became the first manufacturer to make the standard office typewriter into an object of style. Its mechanical components are hidden in an elegant grey casing. Its production ceased in 1968. [1992-2008]
Materials
Plastic; Steel
Categories
Metalwork
Collection code
MET
