Hermès was established in Paris originally as a harness making shop in 1837 by Thierry Hermès (1801-1878).  In 1855 the company won first prize in its class at the Paris Exposition and was recognized again in 1867 when they were awarded first prize at the Exposition Universelle. Thierry’s son and successor, Charles-Emile Hermès began to manufacture of saddles. During this period a new retail location was opened near the Palais de l’Elysee. Following Charles-Emile’s retirement, his sons Adolphe and Emile-Maurice assumed leadership of the company.  This is when it was renamed Hermès Frères.  They became the first to introduce the zipper to France and obtained exclusive rights to its use in. In 1922 the company introduced its first handbags and seven years later branched into fashion with a clothing collection.  In the 1930s they added the famous Hermès scarf.  Then finally in 1938 they launched their first jewelry item  called ‘Chaîne d’ancre’ a bracelet. Emile-Maurice passed away in 1951 and was succeeded by Robert Dumas- Hermès.  Dumas continued to expand product offerings and created jewelry designs as well as collections of jewelry. In the 1970s they opened shops across the United States, Japan and Europe.