#Exhibit of the Month

Manufactured in 1902 by AG vorm Siedel & Nauman in Dresden, Germany.

Dimensions: Length - 38 cm, Width - 35 cm, Height - 20 cm. Weight - 16 kg. It entered the museum collection in 1984, transferred from the National Museum of Ethnography and Natural History.

The typewriter features a standard carriage mounted on ball bearings and rollers, along with a keyboard equipped with 42 keys. These contain two complete sets of Latin and Cyrillic alphabets, punctuation marks, numbers, and mathematical symbols, enabling the typing of 126 characters. Beneath the metal casing, the type bars are arranged in a fan-like pattern, holding embossed characters and ink ribbon rollers. When the keys are pressed, the type bars strike the inked ribbon, imprinting characters onto the paper tensioned in the machine's roller system.

The side panels are elegantly decorated with refined cast-iron elements in the Art Nouveau style, displaying the brand name - "Ideal." The Polyglott model, featuring a bilingual keyboard patented in the United Kingdom by Max Klaczko from Riga, Latvia, was produced between 1902 and 1913, marking the first typewriter capable of writing in two languages. The "Ideal Polyglott" typewriter was actively sold in the Russian Empire and gained significant popularity in Poland, Bulgaria, and Serbia.
The typewriter - a mechanical device used for printing text directly onto paper - ranks among the most important inventions of the modern era, as it revolutionized communication. From the late 19th century to the early 21st century, it became an indispensable tool, widely used by writers, in offices, for business correspondence, and in private homes. The peak of typewriter sales occurred in the 1950s when the average annual sales in the United States reached 12 million units. In November 2012, the British Brother factory produced what it claimed to be the last typewriter, which was donated to the Science Museum in London.
The advent of computers, word processing software, printers, and the decreasing cost of these technologies led to the typewriter's disappearance from the mainstream market, turning it into a museum exhibit.
June 23 marks Typewriter Day, commemorating the date when American journalist and inventor Christopher Latham Sholes patented his typewriter. This day celebrates the simple yet revolutionary device that has become history, as well as the remarkable literary achievements it has enabled since 1868.

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Events Archive

National Anthem Day of Romania in the Republic of Moldova

July 28, 2024

On July 28, 2024, the National Museum of History of Moldova hosted an exceptional cultural event titled "The National Anthem, Symbol of Romanian Unity" - the second edition, organized by the YUFest Association. This outdoor opera concert transformed the museum's courtyard into a spectacular stage, bringing together three renowned tenors from Iași: Florin Guzgă, Andrei Apreotesei, and Andrei Fermeșanu. Accompanied by the National Symphony Orchestra of "Teleradio Moldova" under the baton of conductor Andrei Zapșa, these artists delivered an unforgettable recital, capturing the audience's attention and emotions with their outstanding performances.

The event was further enriched by other remarkable artistic moments. The model Orchestra of the General Inspectorate of Carabinieri under the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Moldova showcased a performance full of vigor and skill, while the CAPRICCIO Children's Choir, led by Mrs. Elena Marian, brought a touch of innocence and purity through the young, talented voices of the youngest artists present. These elements completed a complex spectacle that blended tradition with talent, creating an atmosphere of celebration of Romanian culture and unity.

The event was graced by distinguished guests who emphasized the cultural and symbolic importance of this concert. Historian and university professor Adrian Cioroianu, known for his involvement in promoting Romanian cultural values, was among those who expressed their appreciation for this event's initiative. Additionally, the Mayor of Iași, Mihai Chirică, attended the event, further strengthening the cultural and friendly ties between Iași and Chișinău, two cities that share a common history and a valuable cultural heritage. The presence of these personalities highlighted the significance of the moment and reinforced the message of unity and cultural collaboration between the two Romanian states.

The Minister of Culture, Sergiu Prodan, was also present at the event, underlining the importance of this concert within the context of Chișinău's cultural summer. He emphasized the valuable contribution of the voices from the Iași Opera, stating that the performance is an integral part of the project "The National Anthem, Symbol of Romanian Unity." The Minister highlighted that this concert pays homage to the national anthems of Romania and the Republic of Moldova, symbols of our shared values, history, and identity. In his speech, Sergiu Prodan mentioned that such events are essential for strengthening the cultural ties between the two states and for promoting a common European future based on values of peace, development, and culture.

#Exhibit of the Month

"Ideal" Mechanical Typewriter, Model A Polyglott

National Anthem Day of Romania in the Republic of Moldova

July 28, 2024

#Exhibit of the Month