In 1956, Sottsass was hired by Adriano Olivetti as a design consultant for Olivetti, to design electronic devices and develop the first Italian mainframe computer, the Elea 9003 for which he was awarded the Compasso d'Oro in 1959. His design for the MC 19 electric adding machine (with Hans von Klier ) was awarded the Compasso d'Oro in 1970. At Olivetti, he also designed office equipment, typewriters, and furniture. There Sottsass made his name as a designer who, through colour, form and styling, managed to bring office equipment into the realm of popular culture. His first typewriters, the Tekne 3 and the Praxis 48, were characterized by their sobriety and their angularity.With Perry A. King, Sottsass created the Valentine typewriter in 1969 — considered today a milestone in 20th century design and featured in the Museum of Modern Art, Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, London's Design Museum as well as the Victoria and Albert Museum.