I've been sitting on this for awhile. The bins get a lot of old desk calculators - mostly forgettable and with one paper roll arm missing. Recently there was a Facit that printed but had no display. I left it behind. This one really struck me awhile back. I had the feeling it would turn out to be by a design icon, and took a chance on it, leaving it at work until I could find a cord for it and make sure it works.
Last night I finally found a cord that fits this and now I have on my work desk a calculator designed by Mario Bellini. The Olivetti LOGOS 41PD is from the mid-70's and looks it. It's very striking as compared with the employer-provided TI-5130 now in my drawer.
I either need to find a new ribbon or renew the one it has.
Neat looking calculator. It is the first Olivetti I've seen.
ReplyDeleteI passed the factory daily where they and the Olivetti word processors (electric typewriters?) and PCs were made (as I understand & can't verfy). I've been trying for the past year to find out just exactly if anything was designed and what was manufactured in the Harrisburg plant. I think I became interested about 25 years too late, and I live too far away.
What a fascinating looking design. I somewhat regret that in this era we're inclined to abandon embellishments of design that gave things so much character once.
ReplyDeleteIt's cool that you have that Bellini calculator. I considered buying a Divisumma myself.
ReplyDeleteIn its day, that was probably a $200 calculator ... or more!!
ReplyDeleteIt's drawing a lot of comments, one of which echoes Martin's!
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