The 11 April 1901 was born in Ivrea, Adriano Oliveti, one of the greatest Italian industrialists of the twentieth century and symbol of the country's rebirth after the Second World War. Son of Camillo Olivetti, founder of the company of the same name, Adriano has carried on his father's legacy, transforming thecompany into an international point of reference. The Olivetti company, founded in 1908, was at the time known mainly for its typewriters. Under Adriano's leadership, the company would soon transcend national borders to become a pioneer in theinformatics and electronics. In addition to entrepreneurial success, it was also elected deputy in 1958. Often compared to Steve Jobs for his revolutionary vision, Olivetti stood out for his human and social conception of business.
Olivetti was not only a businessman, but also a visionary. His business philosophy, based on the concept that the company profit must be reinvested for the good of the community, distinguished him from many other industrialists of his time. He was convinced that the company had not only an economic, but also a social and cultural responsibility towards the society in which he operated. He was one of the first to introduce advanced company policies, such as employee welfare, professional training and worker participation in company management.
The origins of Adriano Olivetti
Adriano Olivetti was born in 1901 in Ivrea (a city of which he also became mayor in 1956) into a Jewish family who converted to Catholicism to escape fascist repression. He grew up in a family environment rich in cultural influences and progressive ideals. After completing his studies at the Technical Institute of Cuneo and having served in the military as a volunteer in the 4th Alpine Regiment, he enrolled at the Polytechnic of Turin. Here he immersed himself in the social and political debate, actively contributing to the magazines "L'azione reformista" and "Tempi Nuovi", thus coming into contact with figures such as Piero Gobetti and Carlo Rosselli.
Adriano, graduated in Chemical Engineering, yes joined the family factory in 1926, gradually assuming roles of greater responsibility until becoming general director in 1932 and president in 1938.
The opposition to the fascist regime and the post-war period
Adriano Olivetti yes actively opposed the fascist regime, collaborating with anti-fascist magazines and participating in resistance initiatives. His relations with the regime had ups and downs, also thanks to the evolution of the politics of the period and the architectural influences of rationalism.
During World War II, the company experienced a boom, introducing the first adding machine in 1940 and the Divisumma 14, the world's first writing calculator, in 1945.
After the war, Olivetti committed himself to the reconstruction of his country, founding the Community Movement in 1948, an organization that promoted ideals of participatory democracy and European federalism. In 1949, he converted to Catholicism, and continued to support his political and social commitment, becoming mayor of Ivrea in 1956 and deputy in 1958. His visionary thought became also extended to urban planning and planning, promoting innovative projects and creating job opportunities with above-average wages. His commitment to the community and his humanistic vision were recognized internationally, receiving awards and honors for his entrepreneurial and social activity.
In 1959, shortly before his death, Olivetti developed the Elea 9003, one of the world's first transistorized mainframe computers, bringing the company its greatest success in the 60s.
The conception of work for Adriano Olivetti
Adriano Olivetti has created aunique industrial experience in Italy after the Second World War, characterized by a balance between social solidarity and profit. His factory offered better conditions for workers, with higher wages, kindergartens and nearby environmentally friendly housing. Inside, the environment was innovative, with libraries, concerts and debates during breaks, and a corporate culture that encouraged interaction between engineers and workers. Olivetti also welcomed artists and poets, convinced that creativity enriched work.
He believed inidea of community as a solution to overcome divisions between industry, agriculture and production and culture. He wanted to involve shareholders, public bodies, universities and workers in a foundation to eliminate ideological and economic differences. His dream was to extend this model nationwide.
The death of Adriano Olivetti
On February 27, 1960, Adriano Olivetti took a train from Arona to Lausanne, but during the journey, near Aigle, after the Swiss border, he was hit by asudden cerebral hemorrhage. Despite rescue attempts, Olivetti died shortly after being transported by ambulance to the local hospital. The medical report indicated “cerebral ischemia”, but theautopsy was not performed, giving rise to conspiracy theories in favor of US lobbies. At that time, the Olivetti company was at its peak, with around 36.000 employees, half of them abroad.
Subsequently, it was discovered that Olivetti was subject to investigations by the CIA, as revealed by the declassification of agency documents. An example of the Elea 9003, produced by Olivetti, which was supposed to be installed in Rome, never arrived at its destination. Olivetti technicians noticed similar technical characteristics in a US industrial computer a year later. The death of Mario Tchou, manager of Olivetti, in particular circumstances a year after that of Olivetti, put an end to the Elea project and the Italian electronics industry.
As a sign of mourning for the loss of Olivetti and Tchou, the city of Ivrea canceled its Carnival festivities, a decision rarely taken in the city's history.
Olivetti after Adriano
When Olivetti died, the company had reached its peak: it was present on all the major world markets and became an international giant, with Fiat among its shareholders. In the 80s and 90s, under the leadership of De Benedetti, thecompany began an inexorable decline, marking the beginning of a difficult phase. Today, Olivetti is part of the Tim group, but its heyday remains linked to the era of Adriano Olivetti.
Adriano Olivetti, an Italian of the twentieth century
Adriano Olivetti is considered aindustry icon, of Italian creativity and culture in the twentieth century. To explain his figure there is a beautiful book by Paolo Bricco, brilliant economic journalist of Il Sole 24 Ore, entitled "Adriano Olivetti, an Italian of the twentieth century” published by Rizzoli. Bricco, avoiding hagiography, analyzed the charm of Olivetti, highlighting not only its successes and its far-sighted entrepreneurial vision, but also its contradictions and areas of incompleteness. Olivetti's figure has been described as a true watershed, highlighting the significant impact it has had on the business and cultural world.
“Adriano Olivetti – writes Bricco in the presentation of the volume – managed to mixing apparently very different elements: profit and beauty, industrial innovation and the tension towards a community-based social model. His innovative drive and his interventions both on an industrial and aesthetic and cultural level explain why he was supported by the major intellectuals of the period”.
