The title is maybe a tad too catchy. Never mind. Below you see the delivery of HERMES typewriters at the casern in Lausanne, Switzerland, in 1939. At this time, World War II had begun. Right from the outset of the war, Switzerland had started the general mobilization of its army. These historical circumstances are the background of this photo, and explain its martial atmosphere and gravity. The elegant car - anyone know the brand of this vehicle? - is clearly marked "HERMÈS", and also "L.M. Campiche": L.M. (Louis-Marius, the founder, 24.12.1868 - 31.3.1939) Campiche was the general distributor for Hermes machines, first for all of Switzerland, subsequently for the French-speaking part of Switzerland. A couple of portables nicely in row, and the guardian soldier in perfect attire. In the centre of the photo, also a full-size cannon.
And here they are, inside, and in action. What we see are most certainly Hermes Media machines, with the characteristic olive-green colour especially devised for the Swiss army. The black lid in the background is probably a Hermes Standard 5 (produced 1937 through 1943).
Inside the Paillard works at Yverdon. Photo published in 1938:
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