Olivetti Historical Archive Association

The Olivetti story is as remarkable as it is unique: it has touched on issues that remain highly relevant today, including technological innovation, corporate social responsibility, and the relationship between industry and the arts. Preserving this documentary heritage means not only safeguarding it, but also bringing it into dialogue with the present and the questions of our own time.

The Archive was established in 1986 on the initiative of Paolo Mancinelli, then General Secretary of Olivetti, in collaboration with the Adriano Olivetti Foundation. Between 1987 and 1994, it took shape and developed under the scientific direction of Professor Giovanni Maggia, General Secretary of the Adriano Olivetti Foundation. During these years, the collections of Olivetti S.p.A., the personal archives of leading figures from the Olivetti world, and the archives of individuals who collaborated with the company in various capacities were progressively brought together within the Archive.

On 12 March 1998, the Archive became a legally independent institution with the establishment of the Olivetti Historical Archive Association. The founding and supporting members included Olivetti S.p.A., the Municipality of Ivrea, the Province of Turin, the University “Politecnico” of Turin, the Compagnia di San Paolo, and the Associazione Spille d’Oro Olivetti. They were later joined by the Adriano Olivetti Foundation and Telecom Italia.

The collections include documents, correspondence, books, newspapers, journals, posters, drawings, photographs, films, audiovisual materials, products, scale models, and architectural models. In addition to preserving these materials, the Association provides support to scholars and researchers and collaborates with public and private institutions on exhibitions, conferences, films, and publications. On behalf of the Adriano Olivetti Foundation, the Archive also preserves the Olivetti family archives and the collections of other prominent figures, including architect Ludovico Quaroni.

#StoriadiInnovazione

Particularly noteworthy is the #StoriadiInnovazione project, developed with the technical support of TIM and Olivetti to enhance the documentary heritage through TIM Enterprise’s Innoverse LAB platform. The project offers a high-resolution virtual experience that allows visitors to rediscover six iconic Olivetti products through archival materials, 3D models, and multimedia content.

Through the Olivetti Digital Archives platform, users can consult online a significant portion of the catalogued and digitised collections. The Association also manages the website www.storiaolivetti.it, offering thematic itineraries enriched with texts, images, and videos.