Olivetti Lettera 32

The Olivetti Lettera 32 is a renowned portable mechanical typewriter introduced in 1963 by the Italian company Olivetti. Designed by Marcello Nizzoli, it was developed as the successor to the popular Lettera 22 model. The Lettera 32 gained widespread acclaim among journalists, students, and writers for its durability, portability, and sleek design.

✨ Design and Features

• Dimensions & Weight: Approximately 34 cm (width) × 35 cm (depth) × 10 cm (height), with a weight of about 5.9 kg
• Construction: Built with an aluminum body, the Lettera 32 is both sturdy and lightweight for its time
• Keyboard Layout: Available in various international layouts, including QWERTY and AZERTY. Notably, like many typewriters of its era, it lacks a dedicated number "1" key; users typically substitute the lowercase "l" or uppercase "I"
• Ribbon Mechanism: Features a dual-color ribbon (usually black and red) with a selector switch, allowing users to choose the desired ink color or stencil mode
• Portability: Often accompanied by a carrying case, enhancing its appeal to on-the-go professionals

🖋️ Notable Users

The Lettera 32 has been favored by several prominent figures:

Cormac McCarthy: The Pulitzer Prize-winning author used his Lettera 32 for over four decades, composing all his novels on it. In 2009, his typewriter was auctioned for $254,500.

Francis Ford Coppola: Utilized the Lettera 32 to draft the screenplay for the iconic film The Godfather.

🛠️ Legacy and Impact

The Olivetti Lettera 32 is celebrated not only for its functional excellence but also for its contribution to industrial design. Its streamlined aesthetics and user-friendly features have earned it a place in design museums and collections worldwide. The typewriter's enduring popularity underscores its significance in the history of writing instruments.