Typewriters have been a staple since 1873, but one stands out as an icon: the Olivetti Lettera 22 typewriter, a breakthrough in the realm of office equipment, owing to its portability, lightness, and elegant design. Designed by Marcello Nizzoli in collaboration with engineer Giuseppe Beccio in 1950, it marked a significant shift from the larger and heavier typewriters of its time.

The Olivetti Lettera 22’s compact dimensions (27x37x8cm) and weight of approximately 3.7kg were a stark contrast to the bulky machines that journalists were accustomed to. Its lighter frame enabled professionals to work not only in offices but also on the go or from the comfort of their homes.

This innovative typewriter received two notable design awards, solidifying its status as an iconic product. In 1954, it was honored with the Golden Circle award, and in 1959, a jury of 100 designers, promoted by the Illinois Institute of Technology, selected it as the first among the 100 best design products created in the past century.

The Olivetti Lettera 22 boasted an appealing aesthetic, characterized by a streamlined and smooth casing, a well-designed ribbon, a range of colors, and a user-friendly keyboard. The official color scheme offered delicate shades of blue, light green, or gray, with a common red accent button. The keyboard layout, either QZERTY for Italian models or QWERTY for American models, was designed for optimal user experience.

In the realm of pop culture, actor Tom Hanks, a proud owner of this model, holds it in high regard. He cherished it so much that he penned his book, “Uncommon Type,” using this very typewriter. Similarly, acclaimed writer Günter Grass also favored the Olivetti Lettera 22, possessing three copies, each residing in different countries.

An upgrade from this iconic typewriter, the Olivetti Lettera 32, eventually transformed into a set of LEGO bricks, still available for purchase today. The Olivetti Lettera 22 is on display at the Museum of Modern Art in New York as a part of the permanent design collection, and enthusiasts can acquire their own pieces at auctions.