Olivetti & the Italian Computer: What Could Have Been
Asianometry・24 minutes read
Adriano Olivetti's leadership led to Olivetti's growth, particularly in the electronics field, along with Mario Tzu's contributions to computer development, resulting in the creation of Italy's first computer. However, financial troubles and a failure to adapt to market changes led to Olivetti's decline and eventual irrelevance.
Insights
- Adriano Olivetti's visionary leadership transformed Olivetti from a typewriter manufacturer to an electronics powerhouse post-World War II, marked by iconic designs and aggressive sales strategies.
- Mario Tzu's pivotal role in spearheading Olivetti's foray into electronic computers, culminating in the development of the fully transistorized Elia 9003 computer, showcased his expertise and dedication, though challenges in software development and financial troubles later contributed to Olivetti's decline.
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Who founded Olivetti?
Camillo Olivetti
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Summary
00:00
"Olivetti's Transformation: Typewriters to Electronics Innovator"
- Olivetti, initially a typewriter manufacturer, shifted focus to electronics under visionary leader Adriano Olivetti.
- Mario Tzu, born in Rome in 1924, displayed academic promise, musical talent, and a passion for philosophy.
- Tzu's education took him to the United States during World War II, where he studied electrical engineering.
- Camillo Olivetti founded Olivetti in 1908, known for well-made typewriters and innovative work practices.
- Adriano Olivetti's leadership saw Olivetti's growth post-World War II, with iconic designs and aggressive sales tactics.
- Olivetti ventured into computers, partnering with Bull in 1949 and pursuing Italian computer projects.
- Mario Tzu joined Olivetti in 1954, recruited by Adriano Olivetti for his expertise in electronic computers.
- Mario Tzu's team in Pisa, Italy, worked on the CEP computer project, aiming to build Italy's first computer.
- The team, led by Tzu, developed the Elia 9001 computer prototype, later advancing to transistor technology.
- Adriano Olivetti and Mario Tzu co-founded SGS in 1957 to produce semiconductors, leading to the fully transistorized Elia 9003 computer in 1959.
16:47
Olivetti's Rise and Fall in Technology
- Olivetti's memory technology could expand from 20,000 to 160,000 characters, with workers hand-weaving core memories at the Milan factory.
- Magnetic core memory allowed the 9003 computer to run three programs simultaneously, with a design focused on universities, banks, and government agencies.
- The 9003's industrial design by architect Itas aimed for a modular, flexible system resembling furniture, winning the Golden Compass industrial design prize in 1959.
- Mario Tosi managed the lab effectively, leading with authority but allowing teams autonomy, shielding them from headquarters interference.
- Olivetti's 9003 computers were installed at a textile factory and a bank, gaining popularity and taking 30% of the Italian computer market.
- Olivetti faced challenges with software development, neglecting it for hardware, leading to issues with application software and the multi-programming feature.
- Financial troubles arose from the Underwood acquisition, with debts increasing significantly, leading to Olivetti losing control to an intervention group.
- Olivetti sold a 75% share of its computer division to General Electric in 1964, with a small team staying to develop the Programma 101, a programmable desktop calculator.
- Despite Olivetti's successes, the company faced decline due to financial distress, debt, and the inability to pivot to the programmable calculator business, leading to its eventual irrelevance.
