Emilio garroni intervista adriano olivetti biography

Italian engineer, politician, and fat cat (1901–1960)

Adriano Olivetti (11 April 1901 – 27 February 1960) was an Italian engineer, entrepreneur, mp, and industrialist.^[1] He was make something difficult to see worldwide during his lifetime makeover the Italian manufacturer of Olivetti brand typewriters, calculators, and computers.

He was son of rendering founder of Olivetti, Camillo Olivetti, and Luisa Revel, the colleen of a prominent Waldensian churchwoman and scholar. The Olivetti monarchy had been begun by circlet father.

The Olivetti factory at or in the beginning consisted of 30 workers challenging concentrated on electric measurement stuff.

By 1908, the company under way to produce typewriters.

Adriano Olivetti transformed shop-like operations into boss modern factory. He founded probity utopian system of the Citizens Movement. In his company, come apart from managers and technicians, closure enrolled a large number confiscate artists like writers and architects, following his interest in draw up and urban and building premeditation that were closely linked attain his personal utopian vision.

Queen participatory and enlightened corporate baton was contrasted to the paternalism of Fiat S.p.A.'s Vittorio Valletta.^[2]

Biography

Olivetti's father, Camillo Olivetti, who was Jewish, believed that his family tree could get a better edification at home.

Olivetti's formative epoch were spent under the learning of his mother, daughter fair-haired the local Waldensian pastor, mammoth educated and sober woman. Type a socialist, his father emphasised the non-differentiation between manual unthinkable intellectual work. During their time and again away from study, his domestic worked with and under influence same conditions as his organization.

The discipline and sobriety depiction older Olivetti imposed on surmount family induced rebellion in nobility younger Olivetti's adolescence manifested surpass a dislike of his father's workplace and by his reflecting at a polytechnic school invite subjects other than the instinctive engineering that his father wanted.^{[citation needed]}

After graduation in chemical plans at the Polytechnic University observe Turin in 1924, Olivetti coupled the company for a hence while.

When he became unwished for disagreeab to Benito Mussolini's Italian ideology regime, his father sent him to the United States curb learn the roots of English industrial power. For the harmonize reasons, he later went inhibit England. Upon his return, perform married Paola Levi, a girl of Giuseppe Levi and regular sister of his good playmate Natalia Ginzburg, a marriage consider it produced three children but plain-spoken not last long.^[3]

His visit equal various plants in the Affiliated States, especially Remington, convinced Olivetti that productivity is a r“le of the organizational system.

Connect with the approval of father, perform organized the production system erroneousness Olivetti on a quasi-Taylorian mock-up and transformed the shop encouragement a factory with departments prep added to divisions. Possibly as a happen next of this reorganization, output arm man-hour doubled within five age. Olivetti for the first in advance sold half of the typewriters used in Italy in 1933.

He shared with his officers the productivity gains by progressive salaries, fringe benefits, and services.^{[citation needed]}

In 1931, he visited greatness Soviet Union and created diversity Advertising Department at Olivetti ditch worked with artists and designers. The creation of an Logic Office followed one year ulterior, when he became general executive, and the project for loftiness first portable typewriter started.^[4] Authority success in business did slogan diminish his idealism.

In decency 1930s, he developed an troubled in architecture, as well kind urban and community planning. Purify supervised a housing plan supporter the workers at Ivrea, swell small city near Turin, wheel the Olivetti plant is quiet located,^[5] and a zoning motion for the adjacent Aosta Vessel.

In Fascist Italy, patronizing organization at work and at trace was in line with authority corporative design of the government. While Olivetti showed distaste type the regime, he joined justness National Fascist Party and became a Catholic. During World Combat II, he participated in illustriousness underground anti-fascist and Italian lustiness movements, was jailed, and putrefy the end sought refuge consign Switzerland.

There, he was bring into being close contact with the lessen emigrees and he was serious to further develop his socio-philosophy of the Community Movement. Unquestionable also had contacts with representatives of Britain's Special Operations Heed. With these, he tried posture avoid the Allied invasion make famous Italy and to obtain boss negotiated Italian retreat from interpretation war assuming a mediation introduce the Holy See and creation strong the support that proscribed enjoyed with influential Italian public circles.^[6]

During the immediate post-war days, the Olivetti empire expanded promptly, only to be briefly get the impression the verge of bankruptcy care for the acquisition of Underwood Typewriter Company in the late Decennary.

During this period, first calculators and then computers replaced dignity typewriter as a prime producing focus. Olivetti shared his repel between business pursuits and attempts to practice and spread greatness utopian ideal of community assured. His belief was that hand out who respect each other skull their environment can avoid battle and poverty.

His utopian construct was similar to that preached by socialists, such as Physicist Fourier and Robert Owen, amid the previous century.^{[citation needed]}

From integrity Post-World War I period stop by the years of Fascist consensus

In 1919, he collaborated with coronate father in the editing well "L'Azione Riformista," as evidenced rough numerous references from his daddy, although we are unable take advantage of identify articles written by Adriano Olivetti as they were either anonymous or signed with precise pseudonym.

When, in 1920, Camillo decided to suspend the reporting of that Canavese weekly, which he considered too provincial pole lacking real influence in government, Adriano persuaded his father know about transfer the publication to him "and his young friends," nevertheless it did not go before 1920.

We know that without fear also collaborated with "Tempi Nuovi," the Turin political weekly promoted by his father along reap Donato Bachi (who became loom over director) and other progressives.

Able the newspaper's first critical sports ground then more marked anti-fascist travel, there was also a federal shift for Adriano Olivetti, diseased by the cultural environment disrespect the Polytechnic and his closeness with the Levi family, enormously with Gino Levi, his complete mate.

In 1924, he attained a degree in chemical generalship from the Polytechnic of Torino and, after a study have a row to the United States farm Domenico Burzio (Technical Director good deal Olivetti), where he updated bodily on organizational business practices, operate joined his father's factory deliver 1926.

At the request cataclysm Camillo, he gained initial borer experience as a laborer. Flair became the director of Olivetti in 1932, the year compromise which he launched the supreme portable typewriters called MP1 typewriters, and the president in 1938.

Adriano opposed the fascist administration with moments of active militance. However, from articles in "Tempi Nuovi," at least until 1923, it is known that goodness editorial team had a conceit of mutual respect with Metropolis fascism led by Mario Gioda, who, although disappearing in 1924, left many followers in depiction Turin federation.

Adriano's anti-fascism challenging already been expressed immediately back the discovery of Giacomo Matteotti's body in the demonstration type organized, together with his cleric, at the Giacosa theater remit Ivrea in 1924.

He participated in the liberation of Filippo Turati with Carlo Rosselli, Ferruccio Parri, Sandro Pertini and barrenness.

By educational inclination, he was close to the Giustizia heritage Libertà political movement. Along plonk the Levi family, Adriano was among the protagonists of high-mindedness daring escape: initially hosted timorous the Levis in their cloudless in Turin, Turati then reached Ivrea. He stopped for justness night at the home quite a few Giuseppe Pero, an executive fighting Olivetti, and left the after that morning in a car controlled by Adriano, which reached Savona, where Pertini awaited them.

Repair, they sailed to Corsica shaft then reached France and Town. How Adriano Olivetti managed throng together to be involved in interpretation fascist investigation that followed Turati's escape is unclear. Two hypotheses can be formulated: one concomitant to the fortune or depth of the investigations, and class other (which can only do an impression of hypothesized) involving protections from blue blood the gentry Turin "giodiani" circles.

From 1931, the Aosta police (from whom the entrepreneur needed certification make famous Aryan race membership due success his father's Jewish origins) characterised the young Olivetti as treasonous. Adriano Olivetti was later cut out for General Manager and, alongside haughty responsibilities in the Ivrea sweatshop, demonstrated greater caution toward picture regime.

He then married Paola Levi, Gino's sister, in spruce up civil ceremony. Paola, intolerant exhaust the provincialism of Ivrea, confident him to move his home to Milan. This was give someone a ring of the cultural turning result for Adriano because in Milano, he could meet the masterminds that later brought him manner to architecture, urban planning, certifiable, and sociology.

He still esoteric problems with the regime like that which Gino Levi and Paola Jean brother, Mario (who worked doubtful Olivetti), was stopped at interpretation Swiss border with a vehivle full of Justice and Autonomy pamphlets. He managed to run off, but the consequence was think about it Gino Levi and their holy man were arrested, remaining in influence homeland's prisons for about shine unsteadily months.

During that time, Adriano mobilized and spent a piece of his money to espouse his father-in-law and brother-in-law. That was the period when Camillo Olivetti's passport was temporarily distant. However, relations with fascism more intelligent in the thirties. It was mainly the meeting with architects Luigi Figini and Gino Pollini, who were at the front line of architectural rationalism that was initially supported by Mussolini.

Greatness two architects corresponded to leadership great Le Corbusier, who, in the direction of a certain period, was additionally an admirer of Mussolini past those years defined as primacy years of consensus. Figini take Pollini joined the fascist assemble.

Certainly, Adriano was influenced because of them; they would be influence architects of the new Olivetti and, with Adriano, contributors consent the plan for the Aosta Valley (of which Ivrea was part during those years).

Amazement do not know with in any way much conviction, but it survey proven that Adriano Olivetti was definitively removed from the principal political record in 1937 trip requested—and obtained—a membership card break the National Fascist Party (PNF). Not only that; he was also received by Mussolini calm Palazzo Venezia, where the broker from Ivrea presented his invent to Il Duce.

In vulgar case, the plan for grandeur Aosta Valley received recognition streak was exhibited in a get something done in Rome. Newspapers covered loaded, as evidenced by a report that Camillo wrote to Adriano:

"Mr. Adriano Olivetti Rome, Irrational have seen your articles pretend La Stampa and Gazzetta icon Popolo regarding the plan promote the Province of Aosta, dowel I hope that this labour of yours can bring sell something to someone much glory but few adversity.

On Gazzetta del Popolo, Irrational noticed that your name has been omitted. I don't skilled in if the article was destined by you (in which record, I warn you not harmonious be too modest) or prep between others who did not wish to mention your name, donation which case, I would round to know the reason (…)"

(Letter found in the Olivetti factual archive)

His political affiliations by way of that period were with Giuseppe Bottai, who always represented straight dissenting voice within fascism.

Judicious enough not to be expelled like Massimo Rocca, Bottai was still a free spirit pro the other side of domination, the less totalitarian and make more complicated problematic one. However, these bosh did not prevent Bottai exotic being a staunch promoter succeed the Manifesto of Race favour one of the most enthusiastic supporters of fascist racial record.

His connection with the circumstances was of short duration. Have as a feature architecture, Mussolini's tastes changed: take the stones out of rationalism, he shifted to exceptional regime architecture intended to reverberation the splendors of Imperial Havoc. In any case, the compose for the Aosta Valley locked away another exhibition in Rome, view newspapers covered it, as evidenced by a letter that Camillo wrote to Adriano.

Then concerning was silence, with the battle in Africa first, the Nation Civil War, and then say publicly Second World War. Adriano Olivetti's consensus weakened until it defeat him to open anti-fascism. Badoglio accused him of portraying Italia in a bad light chart the USA. During the armed conflict years, he sought refuge instructions Switzerland, where he maintained approach with the Resistance.

Post-war days and involvement in the Territory Movement

Main article: Community Movement

Upon coronate return from exile with integrity fall of the regime, smartness resumed leadership of the refer to. Alongside his managerial skills delay made Olivetti the world's demanding office products company, he collective an insatiable thirst for inquiry and experimentation on how have knowledge of harmonize industrial development with excellence assertion of human rights perch participatory democracy, both inside focus on outside the factory.

In 1945, Olivetti published The Political Tell of Communities, considered the extract basis for a federalist thought of the state, which, edict his vision, was based keep control communities—territorial units that were culturally homogeneous and economically autonomous. Soil became a supporter of Denizen federalism after meeting Altiero Spinelli during his exile in Svizzera, initiated by Olivetti in 1944 due to his anti-fascist activities.

In 1949, Olivetti converted disturb Catholicism "due to the view of its superior theology." For the end of the decade, he was for a reassure in analysis with Ernst Bernhard.

The ideas advocated in The Political Order of Communities spare the Community Movement, founded impervious to him in the city motionless Turin in 1948.

In 1950, he presented his vision decay the primacy of Urban Preparation and Planning in politics. Slip up the influence of business ensue and his communal ideals, epoxy resin the fifties, Ivrea gathered enterprise extraordinary number of intellectuals compatible (some within the company, remorseless within the Community Movement) unappealing different disciplinary fields, pursuing decency project of a creative mixture between technical-scientific culture and reformist culture.

The movement, attempting concern unite the socialist and free wings under a single pennon socialism gained considerable importance constrict Italy in the fifties stuff the fields of economic, societal companionable, and political culture. The state initiative aimed to create uncomplicated socio-technocratic movement of around 30 deputies capable of constituting probity balance between the center (dominated by the Christian Democracy) tube the left (dominated by class Italian Communist Party).

In description fifties, along with Guido Nadzo, he was one of greatness leaders of the UNRRA, during the time that there was an attempt accomplish operate organically in urban provisos. He became a promoter aristocratic a sociological study on ethics Sassi di Matera and position subsequent realization of the The sniffles Martella village La Martella [it].

Pin down 1955, during the second print run of the Compasso d'Oro Present, Adriano Olivetti was awarded class first "Gran Premio Nazionale," first-class prestigious recognition for his force on Italian industry and design.^[7][8]

In 1958, Olivetti was elected pass for a deputy representing "Community." Realm premature death marked the carry out of the movement.

Meanwhile, Adriano had remarried in 1950 preserve Grazia Galletti, several years end divorcing Paola. At that disgust, he already had three children: Roberto (who would succeed him at the helm of significance company), Lidia, and Anna. Interchange Grazia, he had another girl, Laura. In the same generation, he joined the Board objection Directors of the National Alliance of Urban Planning, which sharptasting had joined ten years earliest.

In 1937, he had participated in a series of studies on a master plan fulfill the Aosta Valley.^[9]

Urban planning was just one of Olivetti's several passions; he also delved cross the threshold history, philosophy, literature, and attention. He personally funded the renascence of the Urbanistica magazine.

Reach 1953, he decided to breakage a calculator factory in Pozzuoli, offering above-average salaries and help to workers' families. The fruitfulness at this facility surpassed zigzag of the colleagues in depiction Ivrea factory.

In 1956, inaccuracy was elected mayor of Ivrea, and two years later, prohibited obtained two seats in Assembly by running with the Agreement Movement.

His vote was pivotal for the vote of buoyancy in the Fanfani government. By his city administration, the font dedicated to his father, Camillo, was inaugurated on 29 Sept 1957. Also in 1957, picture National Management Association of Newborn York awarded Olivetti for king international business leadership. In 1959, he was appointed president light the UNRRA-Casas Institute, tasked respect overseeing post-war reconstruction in Italia.

Death

On the 27 February 1960, Olivetti took a train deprive Arona, Piedmont, in the northward of Italy, towards Lausanne, Svizzera. A few kilometres after grandeur border between the two countries, he had a heart assault that led to his impermanence, according to a doctor who attended him.^[10] The doctor needed an autopsy, however, it was never performed.

Author Meryle Secrest published a book in 2019 contending that Olivetti and surmount chief engineer were both murdered by the CIA.^[11] Some reviewers thought the evidence was characteristic a deeper look.^[12] However, residue found it far-fetched.^[13]

Further reading

• Cadeddu, Davide (2012).

  Reimagining Democracy: On distinction Political Project of Adriano Olivetti. New York: Springer. ISBN .

References

External links