I'm not sure when and why Japan manufacturers begin to brand their typewriters with european names. Apart from Hermes I've also came across Olympia, Brillant Neckermann (one at my shop for example), and at least few others.
It had to be around 80's, since all of the factories made their own typewriters since 70's with more or less success.
I'm not sure if this was even legal, but after the personal computers hit the market I can imagine that most manufacturers could sold the name at least in the terms of typewriters.
And japanese could sold their products not only back to europe (I found few machines in v.good condition... as unused), but mostly to poorer parts of the world.
Mechanics is working v.good, the aligment is straight, and typing isn't a problem... I can't say that about UNIS or TBM products that I came across (Olympia, Olivetii licensed models, made in Jugoslavia).
If you want something fresh and reliable I think these japanese models are still better option that new "made in china" typewriters.
You have it exactly backwards, unfortunately. It was European and American OEM's that stopped manufacturing their own machines and instead relabeled Japanese-made machines. It was all totally legal and not much different than what happens today with European and US OEM's branding Chinese-made products.
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OdpowiedzUsuńReally? That sounds kind of dissapointing. Typewriter legends finished like this... Business is a business after all.
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