"OLIVETTI LINEA 98" TYPEWRITER

English Version

This was one of the last mechanical typewriters used in the offices of the former Italian State Railways until around the early 1990s, with the advent and widespread adoption of personal computers equipped with “Intel 386” microprocessors. 

Mechanical typewriters were always present in the office of the Station Manager, whether he was the Station Master or the Station Manager along with the “Olivetti Divisumma 24” mechanical calculator: a machine that’s virtually indestructible.

Reports were written in duplicate or triplicate using carbon paper and taking great care with the pressure applied to the key with the finger to avoid puncturing the paper. To correct typing errors, which inevitably occurred for those unaccustomed to using these machines, the office was equipped with a bottle of white correction fluid that was gently applied over the incorrect letter or number. 

After it dried (a few minutes), the “typist” would retype the correct key over the white mark.

Description. Standard manual typewriter with front-facing typing mechanism, consisting of a cast-iron frame with an aluminum casing painted in gray enamel to enclose the mechanical system; it features a snap-on metal cover that can be removed to inspect the circular hammer cage. The keyboard is arranged according to the QWERTY standard, distributed across four rows comprising 46 round black plastic keys, with character and symbol markings in white, corresponding to 92 characters, plus 10 rectangular tab keys. Extending from the machine body is a 62 cm long carriage, sliding from right to left during typing, with a large steel lever for the carriage return movement. The paper roll holder is equipped on the side with two coaxial knobs that allow the sheet to be inserted and removed

Material and technique: steel / cast; aluminum / cast; plastic / cast

Dimensions: 36.00 cm x 43.00 cm x 20.00 cm (entire unit)

Year: 1971

Pubblicazioni correlate:

(Biblioteca Ferrovie Arrugginite)