Document duplication prior to Xerox was a mess, to say the least. From carbon paper smudges, to duplicators made of spirit, the process was messy and labor-intensive.
Chester Carlson, a patent attorney in 1938, developed the photocopier. The process was dubbed electrophotography, and involved an aluminum plate that was light-sensitive as well as sulfur powder and bright light.
Chester Carlson xerography
Chester Carlson, in 1937 began to play around with an idea for a novel method to duplicate documents. Since high school, the tinkerer had been a prolific inventor, and had sketchbooks filled with ideas. He worked many jobs such as sweeping floors in the printing shop to support his invalid parents and his young family.
Carlson was looking for an affordable and easy method to duplicate documents. Existing solutions, such as Photostats and mimeographs, required expensive chemicals and special paper. Carlson set out to develop a machine capable of producing multiple copies without needing an original copy.
Carlson after a number of experiments in the kitchen, came up with an approach that utilizes static electricity to transfer images from one sheet of paper to another. The method was called electrophotography and patented the technique in 1942. In the between, he knocked on the doors of a variety of big corporations to seek funding for his invention. He was turned down by GE, RCA and IBM.
Carlson sought the help of the Battelle Memorial Institute which agreed to serve on his behalf and to pay for his further research. The institute had honed his technique until 1945, and dubbed it xerography. The word xerography comes from Greek words that mean dry and writing. The name was changed to Xerox in 1948. This was the beginning of the multi-billion dollar copying business.
The evolution of photocopiers
Although the advent of digital technology has rendered photocopiers obsolete in certain industries, they’re still an essential part of office equipment in many companies. In fact, the copy machine is one of the most frequently utilized machines around the globe. The history of the copy machine is an intriguing story of technological innovation.
Chester Carlson was an American patent lawyer and physicist who invented the first photocopier that could quickly create copies of documents. Before the invention of Carlson, multiple copies were made manually or distributed for photographic duplication. Carlson tried electrophotography (later called xerography). The technique he used created images by applying static electricity to transfer the image onto a paper surface. The technique was originally referred to electrophotography but was renamed xerography after the Greek words xeros (dry) and graphein (to write).
The first copy machine from Carlson was identical to photocopiers used the present, but they were of only a limited function. They used a photoconductive surface that was inserted into an ovoid circular. A small amount of current was applied to the surface. It is typically selenium-based drums. Mirrors on the drum reflect sunlight from the document onto the photoconductive surface. The image is copied whenever the paper touches the drum. The resulting copy is then glued to a sheet of paper.
Xerox 914 first photocopier
In 1959, Xerox launched the 914, which was the first copier that could duplicate plain paper, which transformed offices. The Xerox was a major task that took more than a year to develop, and cost a fortune. Xerox chose to rent rather than buy the machine, allowing for regular income over the course of the course of. Customers would pay $25 flat-rate per month to lease the machine, and then buy paper and ink (toner) at 5 cents per piece. This model was very effective because it focused on customer service.
In 1938, Chester Carlson started experimenting with his process of transferring images to paper using static electricity as well as dry powder. He referred to his process as “electron photography” however after consulting with a linguist, he decided to change the name Xerography which translates to “dry writing” in Greek. The trademark was filed in 1948, and Xerox began producing the machines that were later branded as photocopiers.
In the 1960s-70s, Xerox dominated copy machines and made photocopying a standard tool like the Swingline stapler and Bic pen. However, antitrust laws and the competition from other manufacturers led the company’s focus to shift in the 1980s. Xerox sought to expand beyond hardware manufacturing to become an established supplier of information management, offering digital services to businesses and other technologies. In spite of the shifts, Xerox remains a household brand that is one of America’s most well-known brands.
Digital copiers development
The digital copier industry while it has progressed a lot from the time of Chester Carlson’s kitchen experiment in the 1950s is facing many obstacles. For instance, the widespread use of copier machines has caused a resurgence of intellectual property concerns, as well as concerns about bright light exposure. This issue can be solved through the use of security measures and better technology. In addition, digital copiers can also offer enhanced capabilities by connecting to office networks and integrating with document management systems.
Carlson’s “electrophotography” which is also known as dry writing, was a roaring success, and the Haloid Company followed suit. This company was responsible for the commercialisation of the Xerox 914 – one of the first copier machines to be launched.
Nowadays, Thue may photocopy hcm are a key component of every modern office. Productivity has increased significantly due to the capability to create copies in a matter of just a few seconds. Digital copiers also allow users to save documents in images after scanning them. Images can be saved, printed, emailed or saved.
Although analog copiers are becoming less popular however, they are still used in some scenarios or in regions where advanced technology penetration is low. However, the push toward digitization and multifunctionality has ensured that digital copiers will remain the preferred choice of companies around the globe. There are copiers in many designs, from small and compact to large heavy-duty.