Author: admin

Queensland State Archives posted a photo:

Know Your Etiquette

At The Office

Should I stand up when an executive of my firm speaks to me socially at my desk?
Well, this is one of those questions that can have a million answers. It depends on just who the boss is, how old you are, and how long you’ve been with the firm.
It’s always better to err on the side of too much courtesy rather than too little, so if in doubt, stand.

When I start working in an office, should I be the one to make friends first?
No. Be pleasant and friendly, but don’t be too familiar. If the other people in the office want to be friends, they’ll let you know. Remember, they’ll want to see what sort of a person you are.

Is it correct for me to give the boss a present at Christmas?
No, definitely not! In fact, you should keep present-giving to

See Full Post >>

Queensland State Archives posted a photo:

Machines In The Office.

Practising with science is far from being limited to work in shop, field, and mine. One of the most remarkable phases is seen in office improvements. Telephones, typewriters, cash registers, and the like are only a few of a long list.

Taken as an event in economy, the introduction of the typewriter was at least equal to that of the sewing machine. From the moment that its keys clacked for the first time it began to spell out the doom of the written office letter.

The latest typewriter is a marvel of ingenuity, as it has attached to it a calculating machine. To put brains into a conglomeration of levers, screws, wheels, and keys meant genius. In his all-accomplishing march man found it just when it was most necessary.

To continue reading visit:
Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, 25 June 1913

View the original image at

See Full Post >>

Queensland State Archives posted a photo:

Original layouts for the first few mechanical typewriters were in alphabetical order (ABCDE ect.) but the frequent jams suffered by experienced typists forced the manufacturers to change the layout of the letters, placing keys that are often pressed in a sequence as far as possible from each other.

This allows engaging the second printing bar of the typewriter before the first falls down, increasing the speed of the mechanism. Equal distribution of the load over most fingers also increased the speed as the keys of the mechanical typewriter are more difficult to press.

The calculations for keyboard layout were based on the language being typed and this meant different keyboard layouts would be needed for each language. In English speaking countries for example the first row is QWERTY, but in French speaking countries it is AZERTY.

On July 25, 1888, Frank Edward McGurrin, who was reportedly the

See Full Post >>

Queensland State Archives posted a photo:

In The Office.

Before you can become a general manager, or even a partner in the firm, it is considered the proper thing to work your way through the office. Then in later years, should you become bankrupt, you will know enough to be able to lecture on: “How to Succeed in Business,” and make pots of money.

All sorts of people work in an office, and they are so graded that everybody has someone else to blame when anything goes wrong – except the office boy; but he can always get his own back by whistling.

Office work looks very complicated, and it is. To do it properly a lot of desks and letter-baskets are necessary. Someone – usually the office boy – starts by rushing around with a lot of papers and slamming them in the various baskets.

Then Mr. Snooks takes a letter out of his

See Full Post >>

Queensland State Archives posted a photo:

Rules of this Office.

1. All persons entering, or departing, will kindly leave the door wide open.

2. Those who have no business to transact should stay as long as possible, take a chair, lean against the wall, thereby preserving both chair and wall; besides it looks well, and shows a careful “bringing up.”

3. All persons are requested to smoke and drink in the office, especially in business hours, also to remind the “boss” of his remissness if he forgets to supply tobacco and beer. If you don’t see anyone indulging in the “fragrant weed,” begin at once without inquiring if it at all offensive.

4. Always spit on the floor; spittoons are for ornament only.

5. Talk loudly, or whistle, especially when the occupants are deeply engaged; if this has no effect, hum, “I am a Pirate King” or “A Policeman’s lot is not a happy one.”

6. Put

See Full Post >>