Historic linotype machine at Chiltern gives insight into print media history - ABC News

By Ashlee Aldridge

ABC Goulburn Murray

Topic:History

American inventor Thomas Edison described the linotype machine as the eighth wonder of the world when it was introduced in 1886.

The technology revolutionised typesetting to make printing more efficient by creating a line of type at once, rapidly increasing newspaper circulation.

Today, the linotype makes up many pieces of equipment still in working order on display at the Federal Standard Printing Works in the small historic town of Chiltern in north-east Victoria.

The linotype machine is one of several pieces of printing equipment that are working and maintained. (ABC Goulburn Murray: Ashlee Aldridge)

Established in 1859, it is one of the few intact provincial newspaper printing works from the gold rush era.

It is brought back to life each month by resident volunteer printer Robert Martin.

Mr Martin and his wife Mary have volunteered at the printing works for the past 20 years.

"I did my trade at the Yarrawonga Chronicle many, many years ago," Mr Martin said.

"All this machinery here, I operated basically exactly the same machinery in my apprenticeship."

Robert and Mary Martin have been volunteering at the Federal Standard Printing Works for the past 20 years. (ABC Goulburn Murray: Ashlee Aldridge)

The discovery of gold in Chiltern in 1858 drew thousands of people to the region.

The Federal Standard newspaper was founded the year after.

It operated from the printing works for the next 110 years.

Various papers from around the district were also printed and published from the site, including Albury's first newspaper, The Border Post, and The Ovens Constitution at Beechworth.

The printing works has remained substantially intact since the gold mining era. (ABC Goulburn Murray: Ashlee Aldridge)

The National Trust of Australia (Victoria) bought the printing works in 1972.

Chiltern Properties coordinator Vaughn Clarke said the printing works was one of the most influential of its time.

"I think at one point they printed the papers in a 40-mile radius," he said.

Mr Clarke said the printing works played a major part in the route on which the railway lines were built.

"The railway didn't come here until 1873, and the editorials and the papers written here about that were crucial in the consideration of where the railway line would operate," Mr Clarke said.

"In the day there was lots of advertising, lots of information about what was happening in the town, and new businesses, death notices, when properties were being sold and the goods sold."

Vaughn Clarke says the Federal Standard Printing Works was one of the most influential of its time. (ABC Goulburn Murray: Ashlee Aldridge)

Among the first owners was George H Mott, whose family's newspaper business became a dynasty.

They had involvement in owning and publishing more than 40 newspapers in a period of 112 years.

The building still houses many pieces of equipment, including a Wharfedale press, the century-old linotype machine and metal text and graphics in original type cases.

"There are other printing presses around but it is the only newspaper with the equipment in its original location," Mr Clarke said.

"So, there are other printing works that are now closed and used for other things that don't have their original equipment intact and things like that."

A linotype machine remains in the printing works. (ABC Goulburn Murray: Ashlee Aldridge)

Mr Martin, whose career was in printing, said his passion for the trade was as strong as ever.

He said the linotype remained a stand-out piece of equipment for him.

It became obsolete due to emerging technologies after being widely used for about a century.

"I think the interesting point to make is that probably up until 1970, letterpress printing was the main source of information and education for well over 300 years," Mr Martin said.

Printing equipment remains in position at the Chiltern site. (ABC Goulburn Murray: Ashlee Aldridge)

He said the introduction of offset printing and phototypesetting resulted in a quick demise in the use of the equipment.

"It basically died out in two decades," he said.

Mr Clarke said Chiltern Properties would not be able to operate the machines without Mr Martin's extensive knowledge of the equipment.

"So, one of our challenges going forward is to train people so we get more volunteers to come on board so we can open more often," he said.

A collection of advertising blocks is still on display. (ABC Goulburn Murray: Ashlee Aldridge)

Chiltern is also home to two other buildings owned by the National Trust (Victoria) — Dow's Pharmacy and the Lake View House.

The three buildings give it the claim to having the most National Trust registered buildings of any Victorian town in a 1-kilometre radius.

Lake View House is one of three historic buildings owned the the National Trust. (ABC Goulburn Murray: Ashlee Aldridge)

The pharmacy, like the Federal Standard, opened the year after the discovery of gold in the town.

The shop closed in 1968, with everything inside intact including original medication bottles and packaging on display.

Mr Clarke said the pharmacy and the printing works had a wonderful connection.

"A lot of the information we have about the early pharmacists is from bottles that we've found with their details stamped onto the glass," he said.

Dow's Pharmacy is one of the many historical buildings that line the streets of Chiltern. (ABC Goulburn Murray: Ashlee Aldridge)

He said there were also advertisements in the Federal Standard Newspaper talking about the new pharmacists and new operators.

"Otherwise, prior to 1876 there was no Pharmacy Act so you didn't have to be a registered pharmacist," he said.