#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

Scientific Conference with International Participation "Saint John Paul II and the Catholic Church in the Republic of Moldova" and the Opening of the Exhibition "Saint John Paul II"

October 15, 2024

On October 15, 2024, the National Museum of History of Moldova, in partnership with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Chișinău and the Embassy of the Republic of Poland, organized the scientific conference with international participation titled "Saint John Paul II and the Catholic Church in the Republic of Moldova."

The event took place in the Blue Hall of the museum, bringing together specialists and researchers from various fields. The conference aimed to explore the influence and legacy of Saint John Paul II on the Catholic Church and society in the Republic of Moldova, addressing themes relevant to recent history and the role of faith in community life. The conference included communication sessions where the following relevant topics were discussed:

• Ion Gumenâi (National Archives Agency/USM): "The Influence of the Catholic Church in the Moldavian SSR in the 1980s" - An overview of social and political changes.
• Fr. Petru Ciobanu (Roman Catholic Diocese of Chișinău): "The Establishment of the Apostolic Administration for Moldova" - The relevance of this institution for the Catholic community.
• Anna Skowronek (Adam Mickiewicz University): "The Formation of the Catholic Church in Bessarabia" - Historical context and development.
• Anatol Petrencu (USM): "Pope John Paul II and the Fall of Communism" - Moral and spiritual influence.
• Fr. Fabian Doboș (Al.I. Cuza University): "The Pope's Visit to Romania" - Key events and reactions.
• Anton Coșa (Museum of History, Bacău): "The Coat of Arms of Pope John Paul II" - The significance of its symbols.
• Lilia Zabolotnaia (National Museum of History of Moldova): "Nelea Saganova - Historian of the Catholic Church in Moldova" - Impact on historical research.
• Fr. Alois Moraru (Roman Catholic Diocese of Iași): "Relations Between the Dioceses of Iași and Chișinău" - History of collaboration.

In conclusion, Fr. Petru Ciobanu presented "The Altar of Gratitude," dedicated to the 39 members of the Catholic clergy who served in the Republic of Moldova, highlighting the significant contributions of each member. He emphasized important details from their biographies, including pastoral activities, community involvement, and their impact on the development of the Catholic Church in the region. This tribute recognized the dedication and sacrifices made by these spiritual leaders in support of faith and human values.

Additionally, during the conference, the opening of the exhibition dedicated to Saint John Paul II took place. The event included presentations by special guests and experts, who discussed the influence and legacy of this spiritual leader. Information panels placed along the museum's fence offered visitors the opportunity to explore the life and work of John Paul II, highlighting his achievements and the challenges faced during his papacy.

In conclusion, a word of thanks was offered, reaffirming the Catholic community's commitment to interreligious dialogue. Following this, His Excellency Anton Coșa, Roman Catholic Diocese of Chișinău, led a prayer for peace, emphasizing the desire for harmony among all religious communities.

The exhibition will remain open to the public until October 31, 2024.