But would kids want to read it? Would ANYONE want to read it?

JoeEkaitis · Nov 8, 2007

I've always been fascinated with Adriano Olivetti and his influence that's still around in the architecture of Ivrea, Italy. His design philosophy still influences the world. Note how Apple married art with the personal computer to create the iMac.

While I was poring over Olivetti's corporate history at a site that current owner Telecom Italia describes as "curiosities," the phrase "When the Typewriter was King" flashed in my mind. "Wow! Book title!" I thought, and contemplated the possibilities of a concise biography of Adriano Olivetti for young readers. Since Olivetti wasn't a major player in the US, though they owned Underwood, the revised title "When the Typewriter was Art" seemed more appropriate.

The book would be about Olivetti's life and how he brought art into the office in the form of his company's machines, along with a photo tour of the company's architecture in Ivrea, Italy, which has been literally turned into an open-air museum. Even the Olivetti shop in Venice has been left untouched, though it's now an art gallery.

I'd love to conclude the book by interviewing Steve Jobs, who whether he knows it or not, is carrying on Olivetti's tradition.

So, whaddya think? Is it something today's middle readers would find as fascinating as I do, or would they yawn and give it a pass?

TrishD · Nov 8, 2007

JoeEkaitis said:
I've always been fascinated with Adriano Olivetti and his influence that's still around in the architecture of Ivrea, Italy. His design philosophy still influences the world. Note how Apple married art with the personal computer to create the iMac.

While I was poring over Olivetti's corporate history at a site that current owner Telecom Italia describes as "curiosities," the phrase "When the Typewriter was King" flashed in my mind. "Wow! Book title!" I thought, and contemplated the possibilities of a concise biography of Adriano Olivetti for young readers. Since Olivetti wasn't a major player in the US, though they owned Underwood, the revised title "When the Typewriter was Art" seemed more appropriate.

The book would be about Olivetti's life and how he brought art into the office in the form of his company's machines, along with a photo tour of the company's architecture in Ivrea, Italy, which has been literally turned into an open-air museum. Even the Olivetti shop in Venice has been left untouched, though it's now an art gallery.

I'd love to conclude the book by interviewing Steve Jobs, who whether he knows it or not, is carrying on Olivetti's tradition.

So, whaddya think? Is it something today's middle readers would find as fascinating as I do, or would they yawn and give it a pass?

*I* think it's really interesting, but I have to confess that you'd have to package it in something really shiny to get my 12-year-old daughter to read it. And she is an avid reader.

scarletpeaches · Nov 8, 2007

What about The Olivetti Code?

Someone finds a dead body arranged in the shape of a serif; some kid tracks down the killer, on the way finding out they're the lost grandson/daughter of Olivetti, skip forward a few centuries, insert Tom Hanks and stick Sir Ian McKellen in a wheelchair, Bob's your uncle.

moondance · Nov 9, 2007

To me, this sounds like something that would fit into an established strand of non-fiction for younger readers. If I were you, I'd check out what there already is in this genre and who publishes it. Non-fiction does tend to appeal more to boys than girls in the MG age range, and to be honest it's quite often written in-house. But it's definitely worth a try, although you need to do some serious research before putting a proposal forward.

It sounds like you've got a passion for it though, so good luck!

Torgo · Nov 9, 2007

JoeEkaitis said:
So, whaddya think? Is it something today's middle readers would find as fascinating as I do, or would they yawn and give it a pass?

This is the sort of subject that you could do very nicely as adult non-fiction. For kids, I am afraid it is a non-starter.

Azure Skye · Nov 9, 2007

I'd read it but I can't speak for the younguns. But seriously, I can't see many young people picking it up unless it was for a book report.

Lauri B · Nov 9, 2007

Joe,
You might find an audience in an ed publisher, but I doubt the trades would go for it.

JLCwrites · Nov 9, 2007

Nomad said:
Joe,
You might find an audience in an ed publisher, but I doubt the trades would go for it.

I agree with this. I can see students using this as a reference for an assignment. It seems very interesting, and I would like to learn more about it!

But would kids want to read it? Would ANYONE want to read it?

JoeEkaitis

Certified Gray Haired Geek

TrishD

scarletpeaches

moondance

Torgo

Formerly Phantom of Krankor.

Azure Skye

Huh?

Lauri B

I Heart Mac

JLCwrites