Talk:Olivetti Valentine

Lead: "world's first" claim?
The lead makes the claim that the Valentine was the "world's first plastic-bodied typewriter", however, the "Design and history" section mentions the Monpti (1968) and the Starfire (c. 1963) typewriters – both of which have (ABS?) plastic body shells. Perhaps "one of the world's first" or "one of the earliest and most iconic" would be more accurate? -- Cl3phact0 (talk) 11:26, 29 January 2024 (UTC)


 * This is a great suggestion. I'm thinking that if it truly were the first, there would be more sources leading in that direction. Having studied numerous sources originally written in Italian, the declaration that it was the first does not come up repeatedly.  In this case it helps to back off the hyperbole. Edit made.  842U (talk) 19:39, 12 February 2024 (UTC)

"Valentine" name origin/inspiration
The Italian publication Rivista Studio makes the claim that in choosing the name "Valentine", Sottsass was inspired by the song My Funny Valentine (see last paragraph). [NB: Source also reiterates/validates other statements and claims.] -- Cl3phact0 (talk) 13:54, 14 March 2024 (UTC)
 * PS: Adding another source that mentions the song. -- Cl3phact0 (talk) 18:26, 14 March 2024 (UTC)

Dimensions
The Smithsonian has measurements for the Valentine both with and without the case: H x W x D: 10.3 x 33 x 34 cm H x W x D: 11.5 x 34.5 x 35.5 cm (with case) Perhaps we can use these for the Specifications infobox? -- Cl3phact0 (talk) 09:34, 23 June 2024 (UTC)

Compasso d'Oro claim
Did the Valentine actually win the Compasso d'Oro in 1970 as is claimed in our article? Domus magazine makes the claim that it did not, while several of our published references and several museum entries say that it did (see Museo Omero and Kirkland Museum). The Italian Wikipedia article about the 1970 award mentions the Olivetti Summa 19, but not the Valentine. Most tellingly, the ADI itself doesn't mention the Valentine on its page about the of the award (see 1970 - X EDIZIONE). [NB: I'm mindful not to fall into the WP:OR trap here, but we may be promulgating erroneous information on this point.] -- Cl3phact0 (talk) 18:40, 23 June 2024 (UTC)
 * I've blanked the claim until it can be verified or disproven (the latter seems more likely). -- Cl3phact0 (talk) 07:07, 20 July 2024 (UTC)
 * The book "Olivetti Podium 16: Olivetti's Compasso d'Oro Awards" would likely resolve this question. -- Cl3phact0 (talk) 11:22, 21 July 2024 (UTC)
 * This page from the Olivetti archive site lists the 16 awards (and makes no mention of the Valentine). Sadly, it seems we were wrong here. -- Cl3phact0 (talk) 17:42, 21 July 2024 (UTC)