I drove a couple thousand miles to college with two specialized tools, each reflecting the technology of its day. A tan Olivetti typewriter, notable for its compact elegance and efficiency, was precious to my parents. I felt as if I were its guardian for the years I had the privilege to use it. Then there was my graduation gift, a black Sony boombox about 18 inches wide, a foot tall, and maybe 9 inches deep. It, too was compact for its time, but what it offered was mind-boggingly inferior to the tech we carry in our pockets today. That was then, though, so I took pride in having a boombox that housed a black-and-white TV, a radio, and a cassette player. I couldn't have produced the typewritten thesis without the Olivetti, calmed my nerves without the classical tapes I played on the boombox, or watched the 1979 hostage crisis in Iran unfold without being riveted to my 4-inch by 3-inch TV screen.
How fun to reflect, Amy! Thank you for another fascinating story.
What a great memory of technology of its time--thanks for sharing! Funny to think that your all-in-one boombox is now a vintage item too. I hope your parents still have the Olivetti!
Wendy Chidester's paintings are spectacular! I find the vintage objects that she paints to be beautiful all on their own and she brings them to a whole new level. I have my pink Schwinn bike with white wall tires from the 60s. I love it, but it is in the attic and I think I would have trouble finding a buyer so I am glad to know that someone appreciates the era. Thanks Amy!
I drove a couple thousand miles to college with two specialized tools, each reflecting the technology of its day. A tan Olivetti typewriter, notable for its compact elegance and efficiency, was precious to my parents. I felt as if I were its guardian for the years I had the privilege to use it. Then there was my graduation gift, a black Sony boombox about 18 inches wide, a foot tall, and maybe 9 inches deep. It, too was compact for its time, but what it offered was mind-boggingly inferior to the tech we carry in our pockets today. That was then, though, so I took pride in having a boombox that housed a black-and-white TV, a radio, and a cassette player. I couldn't have produced the typewritten thesis without the Olivetti, calmed my nerves without the classical tapes I played on the boombox, or watched the 1979 hostage crisis in Iran unfold without being riveted to my 4-inch by 3-inch TV screen.
How fun to reflect, Amy! Thank you for another fascinating story.
What a great memory of technology of its time--thanks for sharing! Funny to think that your all-in-one boombox is now a vintage item too. I hope your parents still have the Olivetti!
Wendy Chidester's paintings are spectacular! I find the vintage objects that she paints to be beautiful all on their own and she brings them to a whole new level. I have my pink Schwinn bike with white wall tires from the 60s. I love it, but it is in the attic and I think I would have trouble finding a buyer so I am glad to know that someone appreciates the era. Thanks Amy!
Thanks Vicki! So cool that you have your Schwinn bike from the 1960s, and that it is pink!
Very cool article and paintings!