Typewriters of the 1970s
Typewriter design became bolder and more varied during the 1970s. Bright colors, angular cases and lightweight materials gave many portable machines a distinctly modern appearance.
Mechanical typewriters remained common in offices, schools and homes, even as electric machines became more widely available. Manufacturers adapted proven mechanisms to suit students, travelers and people who wanted an affordable machine for everyday writing.
From the My Cup of Retro Archive
My Cup of Retro previously restored and sold vintage typewriters to customers around the world. This digital museum preserves the photographs and information recorded from the 1970s machines that passed through the former shop.
The archive includes brightly colored portables, compact travel machines and some of the final generations of mechanical typewriters produced for a mass market.
Explore the 1970s Collection
Olivetti Valentine Typewriter, introduced 1969
Ettore Sottsass and Perry King designed the bright red Olivetti Valentine. Its compact body, black keys and matching carrying case made it one of the defining typewriter designs of the 1970s.
This example had a QWERTY keyboard and its original case. My Cup of Retro cleaned, tested and photographed it while it was part of the former shop.
Olivetti Lettera 35 Typewriter, 1972
Mario Bellini designed the Olivetti Lettera 35 in 1972. Its angular metal body and cream ripple finish give it the clean, practical character of 1970s Italian design.
This example had a QWERTY keyboard and its original carrying case. My Cup of Retro cleaned, tested and photographed it before it was sold.
Underwood 450 Typewriter, 1970s
The cream and black Underwood 450 was made in Spain and shares its design with the Olivetti Studio 45. Its compact body, QWERTY keyboard and fitted case made it a practical portable machine.
My Cup of Retro serviced, tested and photographed this example before it was sold.
Hercules 1000 Typewriter, 1970s
The Hercules 1000 combines a bright orange body with a black QWERTZ keyboard and fitted black case. Its color and compact shape capture the more playful direction portable typewriter design took during the 1970s.
My Cup of Retro serviced, tested and photographed this example before it was sold.
Famous Writers, Books and Typewriters from the 1970s:
Hunter S. Thompson, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1972) – Olympia SF typewriter
Stephen King, The Shining (1977) – Olivetti typewriter
Dr. Seuss, The Lorax (1971) – Smith-Corona Portable
Frederick Forsyth, The Day of the Jackal (1971) – Hermes Baby typewriter
Douglas Adams, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (1979) – Hermes 8 typewriter
William Styron, Sophie’s Choice (1979) – Smith Corona typewriter
Joan Didion, Play It As It Lays (1970), The Complete Stories of Flannery O’Connor (1971) – Hermes Ambassador
Italo Calvino, Invisible Cities (1974) – Olivetti Lettera 22