Hi, my name is Rainer. Although I've been in this forum since last year, I'd like to introduce myself now. Born in 1959, I started an apprenticeship as a mechanic at Adlerwerke in Frankfurt am Main in 1976 after finishing school. During this time, I gained a deeper understanding of many types of metalworking, such as drilling, turning, milling, grinding, and so on. The apprenticeship was very diverse because many different departments within the company were tasked with various responsibilities for the production of typewriters. There was also a toolmaking department, a hardening shop, and an electroplating shop. Most of the components for the typewriters, as well as the necessary tools, were manufactured by the company itself.

At that time, over 3000 employees worked there in Frankfurt (the entire Triumph-Adler group had 8700 employees). The Adler company in Frankfurt had already been cooperating with the Triumph company in Nuremberg for several years, and since the acquisition of both companies in 1957 by entrepreneur Max Grundig, the two companies were merged even more closely (TA). The US conglomerate Litton took over TA in 1969, until Volkswagen acquired the company in 1979. The last owner was Olivetti, which bought the company from Volkswagen in 1986. In 1994, Olivetti ended its investment in TA, which largely led to the cessation of TA typewriter production in Germany.

During my apprenticeship, I also came into contact with the production of typewriters. At that time, the Triumph/Adler "St.e." (Standard electric) model series, with its models 131 and 151, as well as the largely identical typewriters for the companies Imperial and Royal, were produced there.

As far as I can remember, about 400 electric office typewriters were produced there daily, in addition to mechanical office typewriters.

After finishing my apprenticeship in 1980, I joined the German military (Bundeswehr). When I returned to the company in 1981, it was no longer the same. Classic typewriters were no longer selling as well and had become too expensive to produce. Electronic typewriters and computers were on the rise. Mismanagement had brought the company close to bankruptcy. The production of classic typewriters was stopped. The company was in a very bad state. There was talk of closing the production site in Frankfurt. Due to strong protests from the workforce and politicians, a closure was prevented. However, this was unfortunately accompanied by the layoffs of 1600 employees. At the end of 1981, I then joined the daisy wheel typewriter department, where I worked until I left the company in 1989. After that, I worked for an airline and did something completely different. Now I am retired.

A year ago, I was able to buy an old used TA electric typewriter from 1978, and it brings back fond memories of the old days at Adlerwerke.

Here you can see details about my Triumph electric 151 (which I might have even held in my hands during its production): https://typewriter.boardhost.com/viewtopic.php?id=4197

Thank you Rainer for your story and inside view of history. I think it's marvellous that you have found a typewriter that you may have helped build. Few people can make that claim. Welcome!