Hungarian Hermes 3000 Typewriter Review & Remembrance of Radio Free Europe

Radio Free Europe was an institution of the Cold War, aimed quite literally, at the communist dictatorships behind the Iron Curtain, like Hungary.
Hermes, in ancient Greek mythology, is the messenger of the gods - spreading news from Mount Olympus.
Hermes also happens to be the name of a Swiss manufacturer of superb typewriters, such as this Angular 1970s Hermes 3000 (aka the boxy one).
What’s the connection?
Join us to learn more as we review the history of this Hungarian-made masterpiece -- a real machine of mechanical grace, which just might in some small way, have contributed to the end of the Cold War.

[@douglasjackson9058]

Absolutely love the history lessons in your videos. This is a Fantastic video. I have 3 Hermes myself. 65-68-71 so all three styles. I agree if blindfolded I could not tell the difference in typing feel. Thanks for such great videos,they are very appreciated here.

[@LazyDogTypewriters]

Thanks Doug!

[@LazyDogTypewriters]

We negelected to discuss the 4 position ribbon color selector -- white was stencil as always, and red was the bottom portion. The blue was the top position on the ribbon, and the gold was an intermediate position. The idea being that one could get more mileage out of a ribbon by adding an intermediate track. Works best with single color ribbons. In our type sample you can see a tiny bit of shading, which on our unusual Blue/Orange ribbon combo comes across as a bit of green shading. It's a fountain pen typewriter! :)

[@TypewriterMinutes]

You had to show me Hungarian goulash when I haven’t eaten dinner yet. Now I’m even hungrier. Great review and machine.

[@LazyDogTypewriters]

And another long video, but if you make it to the end, you'll get a special multi-platinum audio treat! :)

[@davidbrownell1129]

I have a similar 1972 “angular style” Hermès 3000 that was sold new in Nebraska, but was made in France, not Switzerland or Hungary. While I like the typing action, along with my SM7 and SM9 Olympias. For my American fingers, they come in a second or third behind my preferred Royal Futura 800. When new, the Royal probably sold for much, much less than the Hermès.

[@LazyDogTypewriters]

Hi David, I have several Royal Futuras including a much loved Americana edition. They have a very smooth typing action. You would enjoy our Futura video for sure.

[@burneshollyman2621]

How do I tell if my machine is made in Hungary? It looks identical to yours. Are the better/worse? I can'T imagine Commie Hungarians would make machine with the quality of the other Hermes 3000 :-)

[@csillamagyar9026]

The Hungarian keyboard has Hungarian letters: í,ő,ű,ú

[@drambruslaszlo]

Beeing, living under a communist regime in that period of time, how would define someone's technical skills? It's like saying Neuman was unskilled, because he was a Hungarian. By the way, he has invented the basics of digital computing.