<p>Clever Confidential is Clever’s offshoot series, where we dig into the darker side of design - the shadowy, sometimes sordid tales hiding under a glossy topcoat of respectable legacy.</p><br><p>In Episode 4: Olivetti and the Race to Create the First Personal Computer, host Amy Devers and writer Andrew Wagner unravel a captivating story that challenges our assumptions about the origins of the personal computer. Many credit Silicon Valley with this innovation, but should we really look elsewhere?</p><br><p>Olivetti was founded in 1908 by Camillo Olivetti. This Italian powerhouse thrived under his son Adriano, who revolutionized industrial design with a human-centered approach, merging aesthetics with user experience. Olivetti became a titan in office machines and desktop computing, poised to lead the charge into a new technological era.</p><br><p>But as Olivetti rises, dark clouds gather. Adriano and brilliant engineer Mario Tchou meet mysterious and untimely fates, shrouded in Cold War intrigue and fierce corporate rivalry. Despite these tragic losses, Olivetti unveiled the Programma 101 in 1965, hailed as the world’s first desktop computer, forever altering our perception of technology.</p><br><p>So why has Olivetti’s remarkable legacy faded into obscurity? We peel back the layers of this enigma, revealing a web of intrigue—mysterious deaths, hostile takeovers, potential CIA involvement, and hidden narratives that reshaped the tech landscape and distorted our collective cultural memory.&nbsp;</p><br><p>Many thanks to this episode’s guest expert Barry Katz.&nbsp;</p><p>Audio clips courtesy of Luca Cottini from his Italian Innovators youtube video - <a href="https://youtu.be/RbjMSBETyGY?si=8PokQLlub4gaN9ys" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">CAMILLO &amp; ADRIANO OLIVETTI. At the Origins of the Computer Age</a>. You can find him on Linkedin and instagram @italianinnovators</p><br><p><a href="https://www.cleverpodcast.com/clever-confidential/olivetti-computer-programma-101" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">See images and read the transcript!</a></p><br><p>Head to <a href="https://www.cleverpodcast.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">cleverpodcast.com</a> for over 200+ more episodes!&nbsp;</p><br><p><a href="https://amydevers.substack.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Subscribe to our substack newsletter</a> for updates, bonus content, and new episode alerts.</p><br><p>Please say Hi on social! <a href="http://twitter.com/CleverPodcast" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">X</a>, <a href="http://www.instagram.com/cleverpodcast/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/18411226/admin/feed/posts/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Linkedin</a> - @CleverPodcast, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/amydevers/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@amydevers</a></p><br><p>If you enjoy Clever Confidential please consider <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/clever/id1106679693?mt=2" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">leaving a review</a>, <a href="http://www.cleverpodcast.com/sponsor-support/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">making a donation, becoming a sponsor</a>, or introducing us to your friends! We love and appreciate you!</p><br><p><strong>Writing and research: </strong>Amy Devers, Andrew Wagner, Ilana Nevins</p><p><strong>Editing and Sound Design: </strong>Camille Stennis and Mark Zurawinski</p><p><strong>Theme Music: </strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtTRz5-xZbk" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">“Astronomy”</a> by Thin White Rope courtesy of <a href="http://www.frontierrecords.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Frontier Records</a></p><p><strong>Production:</strong> Devers Endeavors</p><br /><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

Clever

Amy Devers

Clever Confidential Ep. 4: Olivetti and the Race to Create the First Personal Computer

OCT 29, 202438 MIN
Clever

Clever Confidential Ep. 4: Olivetti and the Race to Create the First Personal Computer

OCT 29, 202438 MIN

Description

<p>Clever Confidential is Clever’s offshoot series, where we dig into the darker side of design - the shadowy, sometimes sordid tales hiding under a glossy topcoat of respectable legacy.</p><br><p>In Episode 4: Olivetti and the Race to Create the First Personal Computer, host Amy Devers and writer Andrew Wagner unravel a captivating story that challenges our assumptions about the origins of the personal computer. Many credit Silicon Valley with this innovation, but should we really look elsewhere?</p><br><p>Olivetti was founded in 1908 by Camillo Olivetti. This Italian powerhouse thrived under his son Adriano, who revolutionized industrial design with a human-centered approach, merging aesthetics with user experience. Olivetti became a titan in office machines and desktop computing, poised to lead the charge into a new technological era.</p><br><p>But as Olivetti rises, dark clouds gather. Adriano and brilliant engineer Mario Tchou meet mysterious and untimely fates, shrouded in Cold War intrigue and fierce corporate rivalry. Despite these tragic losses, Olivetti unveiled the Programma 101 in 1965, hailed as the world’s first desktop computer, forever altering our perception of technology.</p><br><p>So why has Olivetti’s remarkable legacy faded into obscurity? We peel back the layers of this enigma, revealing a web of intrigue—mysterious deaths, hostile takeovers, potential CIA involvement, and hidden narratives that reshaped the tech landscape and distorted our collective cultural memory.&nbsp;</p><br><p>Many thanks to this episode’s guest expert Barry Katz.&nbsp;</p><p>Audio clips courtesy of Luca Cottini from his Italian Innovators youtube video - <a href="https://youtu.be/RbjMSBETyGY?si=8PokQLlub4gaN9ys" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">CAMILLO &amp; ADRIANO OLIVETTI. At the Origins of the Computer Age</a>. You can find him on Linkedin and instagram @italianinnovators</p><br><p><a href="https://www.cleverpodcast.com/clever-confidential/olivetti-computer-programma-101" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">See images and read the transcript!</a></p><br><p>Head to <a href="https://www.cleverpodcast.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">cleverpodcast.com</a> for over 200+ more episodes!&nbsp;</p><br><p><a href="https://amydevers.substack.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Subscribe to our substack newsletter</a> for updates, bonus content, and new episode alerts.</p><br><p>Please say Hi on social! <a href="http://twitter.com/CleverPodcast" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">X</a>, <a href="http://www.instagram.com/cleverpodcast/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/18411226/admin/feed/posts/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Linkedin</a> - @CleverPodcast, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/amydevers/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@amydevers</a></p><br><p>If you enjoy Clever Confidential please consider <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/clever/id1106679693?mt=2" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">leaving a review</a>, <a href="http://www.cleverpodcast.com/sponsor-support/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">making a donation, becoming a sponsor</a>, or introducing us to your friends! We love and appreciate you!</p><br><p><strong>Writing and research: </strong>Amy Devers, Andrew Wagner, Ilana Nevins</p><p><strong>Editing and Sound Design: </strong>Camille Stennis and Mark Zurawinski</p><p><strong>Theme Music: </strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtTRz5-xZbk" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">“Astronomy”</a> by Thin White Rope courtesy of <a href="http://www.frontierrecords.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Frontier Records</a></p><p><strong>Production:</strong> Devers Endeavors</p><br /><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>