The 1957 Olympia SG1

[@simonjonasmusic8410]

Owning an SM2 and SM9, i still have to admit this is THE MACHINE. Love it.

[@andrebartels1690]

ASMR ❤ I live in Wilhelmshaven, the town where these beauties were made. I recently found one on the roadside, supposedly from 1962. It had the transport spring broken, which i could fix with a little bit of metal work. The paint is worn flat in some areas, which seems to be the only sign of wear. I oiled the old lady, and she was good to go. Made to last.

[@marlonsouza9224]

Wow! Found on the road!! I just imagine how many of these are still there in many homes! Wow.

[@andrebartels1690]

@marlonsouza9224 I heard stories about Olympias thrown into the sea because of intentional miscalculation. (Needs to be mentioned that Wilhelmshaven, where the Olympia works were located, is right at the north sea shore.)

[@marlonsouza9224]

Thanks for the reply! But “Intentional miscalculations?” You mean, they throw them just to get rid of them in purpose?

[@andrebartels1690]

@marlonsouza9224 Yes. Corruption. The good old days, you know. Tales about a mayor flying to a casino by helicopter, accompanied by the chairman of Olympia. The headquarters and main production site is still there. There are other companies now using the place. In their heyday they had 10k employees there, just imagine.

[@BokBarber]

Lovely tribute to a lovely machine. The SG1 and SG3 were the peak of manual desktop typewriters before the Selectric took over. They're a joy to use. Absolutely, perfectly smooth and with a pleasantly weighted touch. My SG3 has the standard elite typeface, which is nice enough, but if I could find one with congress elite that would absolutely send me.

[@danmiller6890]

Definitely on my bucket list of machines. Such a beautiful work of engineering.

[@msms5435]

Me too buddy, me too!

[@XoaGray]

I love how well that machine was able to keep up with you.

[@bryannelson72]

I love this video. After watching it I went to see if my SG1 was that fast... it’s not, but I’m pretty sure that’s all me :)

[@sissonvapour6156]

Hollywood outta consult you on some of those shots

[@ericrivas5622]

Came across this. Nice video! Great film technique.

[@jaynelsestuen9038]

Wow. That is glorious.

[@TheWaterbug101]

I have also a green 1959 Olympia SG1 with elite type which is my favorite of all the other typewriters I have. These machines were well-engineered and quite expensive at around $225 back in the 1950s. They would now retail for about $2,000 in today's economy. The Germans were generally masterful in creating such excellent machines as this.

[@msms5435]

I can agree with that, like I mean, have you seen a Blickensderfer typewriter?

[@TheWaterbug101]

@@msms5435 No, I haven't had an opportunity to see a Blickensderfer. Where were they manufactured?

[@msms5435]

@@TheWaterbug101 I think they were manufactured in the US in the 1890’s (and 1900’s). Think of them as early IBM Selectrics, but with a different keyboard. And there should be lots of videos of Blickensderfer typewriters.

[@MarvinMonroe]

I used to work at this old golf course and was there when they closed down for good. In the little office building was one of these and a WheelWriter 3. Boss let me take them and anything else I wanted. Got a big case full of ibm ribbons and stuff The SG1 has the compete plastic paper guide thing which I've read is rare. It broke on most (this one in the vid doesn't have it)

[@TypewriterChicago]

Paper rests ARE rare, I got one for this machine later on before I sold it

[@billogle4776]

The Olympia SG1 was the best machine ever built from every perspective

[@TypewriterChicago]

It certainly is one of the greats!

[@msms5435]

That is a matter of opinion, but I have to agree with Lucas, it has to be one of the best typewriters ever made. Which brings me onto a question, is it a full-on manual, or is it an electric with a manual return? It seems to sound like an electric with a manual return (and it has the speed and by the looks of it, some features that belong to a electric with a manual return), but it doesn’t to seem to have a power cord for it. So please explain

[@billogle4776]

@@msms5435 not a matter of opinion, a fact of life, I would be very pleased to hear of one better. The Remington 17 in it's original and second incarnations were also very good, if they were set up correctly but then not every one knew how or was prepared to take a little time to set them up, later models were of the same design but lacked quality materials, even the SJ could be quite fast especially in the early American made models, it was all in the set up

[@billogle4776]

MS MS it's a "full on manual"

[@msms5435]

@@billogle4776 Okay, I didn’t mean to start a war! And thanks for the information.

[@Naolslager]

I have a 1961 model and there machines are lightning fast.

[@dr.typewriter-venneburgtyp121]

Beautiful machine, Lucas! I happen to find one for free last summer. A project yet to tackle. It has the same font as well!

[@TypewriterChicago]

What a score! I found this one for free as well!

[@dr.typewriter-venneburgtyp121]

@@TypewriterChicago Nice!! I'll upload a video once it's finished.

[@TypewriterChicago]

@@dr.typewriter-venneburgtyp121 I look forward to it!

[@ericktamberg670]

I inherited one from my grandfalther, made in 1963. I will it send it to restoration. Some keys are lost and there's some rust and peeled painting, but still works perfectly. No mechanical defects.

[@MarinaGarrison]

She's pretty. I love Olympia's.

[@thedarrindavisband]

Awesome video, Lucas!

[@ThomasMatthew-s2y]

What a spectacular machine. I happen to regularly use one in my school library that also has the same typeface! Could you do a video on an Olivetti Lexikon 89 sometime? Great video!

[@marlonsouza9224]

Your video is an absolute gem!! Thanks!! I have one of those… it’s like a machine gun typing. So fast. The 8 step adjustable Touch is very useful for me to find the perfect spot to speed type. I just wish I could have it in this “book like” typeface. But I cannot complain ‘cause I already have an Olivetti Lettera 22 with this typeface… it’s called “imperial”, a little bit beefier than the “Congress”…

[@hortenseplaceg9740]

I have six SG1, got them from Craigslist over five years span here in Socal, great machine!! I also have one SG3 but I prefer the classic look of SG1 better, in my opinion SG3 has that nimble, responsive, butterry feel like SM9 counterpart while SG1 has the strong-unbreakable attitude to it.

[@msms5435]

This is the unicorn of typewriters!

[@TypewriterChicago]

Depends on where you live. It is decently common in the states

[@msms5435]

I meant that she is a beauty, that and probably one of the best typewriters out there, but yeah, it depends on where you live.

[@Chernobypi67]

Wonderfull machine 🙂

[@uwemommens]

I recently bought an SG1 from 1963. It has a font that Olympia called 'narrow diamond' ('schmale Diamant' in German). It has 17 CPI. So the typewriter is practically useless because the font is almost illegible.

[@TypewriterChicago]

I have an SG1 with this exact typeface that I use to write up invoices. You can fit a lot into small boxes. It's more legible with clean type and a crisp ribbon.

[@uwemommens]

​@@TypewriterChicago I can imagine that a video from you about this exact machine would fascinate not only me. And clean types are not a not only a good tip, for me they are essential.

[@ManuelRodriguez-oc5uf]

I'm sure you made a pact with the devil to make it write so crisp. Tell him I'm interested in that pact too

[@TypewriterChicago]

Hahahaha! Let’s just say I take a lot of pride in my work ;)

[@msms5435]

Tell him I’m interested too!

[@josesantos8850]

Que máquina maravilhosa ! Parabéns ao exímio datilógrafos.

[@OConnelsSideOfDaRiver]

I HAVE TO GET ONE!

[@mattkaspar2031]

Was given an SG1 from same era. Elite typeface. Some bent parts, ie paper feed lever. Keys and finish faded from machine being stored in a hot old barn. Showing signs of life. Needs new shoes - any help on that? Working on limbering up keys - some seem to be rubbing the metal guide near paper and not returning - should I try bending those, carefully? I am a rookie trying to fix this up. Other keys that work seems to blow holes in paper. Double space does not seem to work. Other issues but taking one at a time. Nice video - thanks.

[@douglasjackson9058]

Such a great video! Love the angles and sound. The clear focus on the handle and blurred machine was cool! What a beast! Incredibly clean type and pica. I might need one of these. Question...The number dials at the beginning,there were two different dials..what's there purpose or jobs. Great video Lucas.

[@TypewriterChicago]

Thank you! First dial was the line spacing, second was to adjust the height of the paper injector to clear the letterhead

[@gltwn]

I have one of these also with the 12 inch carriage, but with Large Pica typeface, which is very readable. I think I like Congress Pica better.

[@TypewriterChicago]

I love congress pica, its the typeface I would have wanted on an SG1, so imagine my surprise when this beast dropped into my lap

[@evokid379]

Been looking for an SG-1 with cursive typeface but they’re so expensive lately

[@formgh841]

How would you compare it to the Adler Universal, where typing is concerned?

[@timjuliushuber6970]

Wahnsinn! Bitte mach mehr von diesen Videos!!!

[@TypewriterChicago]

So glad you like! I intend to make many more

[@neelakandankk1749]

How to purchase THIS typewriter

[@msms5435]

What is the difference in between an Olympia SG1 and an Olympia SG1 De Luxe?

[@marlonsouza9224]

Very few things according to old catalogues - the regular one does not have the paper injector and some metal embellishment trim on the bottom. But I have a “standard” one (not de luxe) that have a paper injector. So, there is no actual standard.

[@bharathvajvr3782]

Hi Hallo sir I am live in india I have start the typewriting institutions so I need a lot of typewriting machine and heavy duty machine please help me how to buy and where to buy

[@TypewriterChicago]

I'm not sure where to buy machines in India, I know there is a shortage of repair techs down there. Shipping would be astronomical from anywhere overseas

[@meedily]

Please recover the platen. Lol.

[@TypewriterChicago]

Not worth the expense

[@teban-l2j]

Qué rápido escribes!!