Hermes typewriters were manufactured by Paillard S.A. of Yverdon in Switzerland. Paillard Ltd (originally Maison Paillard) was a premier Swiss precision engineering company which operated for 175 years. It developed from a small watchmaker collective into a global leader in typewriters as well as gramophones, radio sets and, under the name of Paillard-Bolex, cameras and film cameras. Paillard began making typewriters under the Hermes name in 1923. Early typewriters were usually heavy office typewriters but over time popular portable typewriters were added to their range. The Hermes Standard 8 typewriter was produced between 1953 and 1965. It was a heavy-duty desktop model. Typewriters of this model with a wide carriage were considered to be quiet rare. They were designed for the operator to be able to produce wide ledgers. However by 1963 its successor the Hermes Standard 9 had gone into production. With the rise of personal computers in the 1980s, typewriters gradually fell into obsolescence and came to be thought of as an outdated writing technology of the past. The company was ultimately taken over by Olivetti in 1981, and operations largely ceased by 1989. This item is significant because it was a popular and important piece of office equipment used in many Wodonga business in the 1950s and 1960s.A pale green Hermes Standard 8 typewriter with wide carriage.Serial Number 8120839 Hermes Standard 8 On back - HERMES / Made in Switzerland / paillard s.a. Yverdontypewriter, hermes typewriters, functional office equipment

The black and white manual typewriter is made of plastic and metal by the Swiss company,Hermes. The model name ‘Ambassador’ and the series number M82, indicate that the typewriter was made sometime between 1953 and 1965. It demonstrates the working operations of the lightstation under the Commonwealth Lighthouse Service when it was managed by the Department of Transport, which introduced a number of modernising initiatives during this period.It has second level contributory significance for its historic value as an original item of office equipment. It demonstrates the working operations of the lightstation under the Commonwealth Lighthouse Service when it was managed by the Department of Transport, which introduced a number of modernising initiatives during this period.1. Black and white plastic and metal typewriter. 2. Grey vinyl typewriter cover.2. On cover,"HERMES / Ambassador / FABRICATION SUISSE / MADE IN SWITZERLAND / D" : 1. On typewriter," M82". On label, " C.of A / D.O.T. 143851".