In the 1950s, the Olivetti Company in Ivrea, Italy, led by the visionary Adriano Olivetti, revolutionized the concept of living and working. The company, reminiscent of Apple Inc. today, prioritized design, functionality, and employee well-being. Adriano Olivetti’s humanistic approach extended to every aspect of company life, from design and education to retirement and housing. Ivrea itself became a model city, where employees were nurtured with free healthcare, education, and cultural enrichment. However, with the decline of Olivetti after Adriano’s death, the vision of Ivrea as a harmonious “City of Man” faded. The story of Olivetti and Ivrea serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between innovation, corporate responsibility, and community well-being in a rapidly changing world.
https://medium.com/@danielstone/olivettis-ivrea-how-an-italian-tech-giant-built-the-world-s-most-progressive-company-town-557cb035c383