Underwood (typewriter)

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Early 60s logo. Note that it is in the Olivetti logo typeface of the time.

The Underwood Touch-Master 5 was among the last desktop models produced at the Underwood factory in the early 60s.

Underwood established itself as a major player in the typewriter industry with the introduction of the first Visible typewriter. Visible means it allowed the typist to see what they were typing as they were typing. By 1939 Underwood had produced five million machines.

From 1874 the Underwood family made typewriter ribbons and carbon paper, and were among a number of firms who produced these goods for Remington. When Remington decided to start producing ribbons themselves, the Underwoods apparently decided to get into the business of manufacturing typewriters.

The original Underwood typewriter was invented by German-American Franz X. Wagner, who showed it to entrepreneur John T. Underwood. Underwood supported Wagner and bought the company, recognising the importance of the machine. Underwood No. 1 and No. 2s, made between 1896 and 1900, had "Wagner Typewriter Co." printed on the back.

Underwood started adding addition and subtraction devices to their typewriters in about 1910.

Olivetti bought a controlling interest in Underwood in 1959, and completed the merger in October 1963, becoming known in the US as Olivetti-Underwood with headquarters in New York City, and entering the electromechanical calculator business. The Underwood name last appeared on Olivetti portable typewriters produced in Spain in the 80s.

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