Mission Olivetti

The appearance of this Olivetti starts with a con, gambit, flim-flam, rouse, or bamboozle. You may have read the digested version on Ted Munk’s blog, but there is more. Much more.

I arrived at the location where we were to conduct the transaction. In the trunk I had the Orator SC and an FP for the Big Man at MTE. Munk would convey this item through the appropriate channels. He had, for me, the Olivetti 21. The rendezvous was arranged for N 33° 25' 1.9014” and W 111° 56' 20.4769" at 10:00 near the old lecture hall.

As I arrived at the point, the entrance was blocked by Agents working for ASU. With cool calm I told them I was meeting a graduate student to turn in an assignment. The key is to look confident, but not suspicious. For a brief moment I thought my cover was blown, but my associate (an 17 month-old baby) caused a distraction allowing us to be waved through.

We exited our vehicle and casually kept a lookout for Munk. We ID’d him and provided cover. He was able to approach our command vehicle and the transaction was made. With all haste we returned to our command vehicle and left the area.

Mission Olivetti: COMPLETED

I’ve had a few chances to use this typewriter and I have to say that I mostly like it. There are some definite positives. The OU-21 is quiet. It isn’t silent, but it is quiet. During class I asked a few students in various positions around the room to gauge the volume. At six feet most evaluators ranked it as “quiet, not annoying.” The room was fairly quiet so I think that it is a fair assessment. Its size means that it does not move around on my desk (or a student desk). That size can also be a negative. Some of my smaller students find moving it can be a challenge.

For my tastes, the touch is a little stiff. This particular machine may be the origin of this problem. I did adjust the tension under the ribbon cover. That seemed to ease things up, but I am use to the Royal’s action. The spacebar is a hair too thin. I have large thumbs that need a little room. Obviously, in Italy, no one has fat thumbs.

I don't want anyone to think that the negatives outweigh the positives. That's not the case. It's a wonderful machine. I know everyone is looking forward to having it used in the classroom.

This was supposed to be a typecast, but a sleeping baby has made that an impossibility. That's fine. A sleeping baby is better than a crying baby.

Olivetti-Underwood 21

No, those are baby hands.

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Fine Purchase

Class has started again, and the kids are typing away. I have some other student typecasts that I never quite got posted. I am going to post them as a static page. They are a hoot to read and I want them to be read.


Fiscal Plan? Fun Payroll? Fire Peons? All business!

The Purchase to which I allude is actually a Royal FP. This massive machine is going to be set up in a corner of the classroom for anyone who would want some time alone with their thoughts. I am slowly working on having every Royal desktop standard in my class. This is a crazy goal, but goals are good to have. I have the HH (more for my use) and now this FP. I love that the desktops are so much cheaper than their portable counterparts. Another benefit is that I have the space and audience to justify their addition to the collection. Desktops have always appealed to me.

Perhaps it is their girth and weight. Perhaps it is the comforting thought that the weight of a desktop could prove an asset were we, for example, invaded by Visigoths from the east. Just take to the top of your crenelated tower and hurl KKMs, FPs, and HHs. Nothing stops a Visigoth like a FP to the head.



Without jest, desktops are wonderful to use. They can be fast (if you're fast), tough, and incredibly dependable. If you have just one standard desktop, make it a Royal.

This specimen is in good shape, however something strange seems to have happened to the escapement in transport to school. I am sure that there was some preexisting condition. I've called our Man in Mesa for a consult and it will be on its way to MTE as soon as possible.

In the interim, please enjoy the pictures. Also don't forget to enter your comment for a chance to win a nice Rhodia stapled journal. In the stores this very journal retails for money. Click on this sentence to be taken to the post.





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Local AZ Typewriter Coverage

Bill Walh, Owner, operator, and heir of the Mesa
Typewriter Exchange.

This story about the Mesa (AZ) Typewriter Exchange ran in today's East Valley Tribune. I had the pleasure of visiting Bill's shop last Thursday. Ted was also interviewed for the story. Take a look by clicking this sentence.