Before the Xerox machine, document duplication was, to put it mildly, a bit of a kerfuffle. From carbon paper smudges to spirit duplicators, making copies was messy and labor-intensive.

In 1938, patent attorney Chester Carlson patented what would become the photocopier. His process was called electrophotography and it involved using a light-sensitive zinc plate, sulfur powder, and bright light.

Chester Carlson xerography

In 1937, a man named Chester Carlson began experimenting with an idea for a new way to copy documents. The tinkerer was already a serial inventor and had kept notebooks full of sketches since high school. He worked many jobs, including sweeping floors at a printing shop, to support his invalid parents and his young family.

Carlson was determined to find a cheap and easy way to duplicate papers. Existing solutions, such as mimeographs and Photostats, required expensive chemicals and special paper. Carlson wanted to create a machine that would be able to make multiple copies without requiring a master copy.

After many experiments in his kitchen, Carlson developed a method that used static electricity to transfer an image from one piece of paper to another. He called the process electrophotography and patented it in 1942. In the meantime, he knocked on the doors of several large corporations seeking funding for his invention. He was turned down by GE, RCA and IBM.

Carlson eventually enlisted the help of Battelle Memorial Institute, which agreed to act as his agent and pay for more research. By 1945, the institute had refined Carlson’s technique and named it xerography, a word derived from the Greek words for dry and writing. The name was shortened to Xerox in 1948. This was the birth of the multi-billion dollar copier industry.

Evolution of photocopier machines

While modern digital devices have made photocopiers obsolete in some industries, they remain a vital piece of office equipment for many businesses. In fact, the copy machine is one of the most widely used machines in the world. The history of the copy machine is an interesting story of technological innovation.

The first photocopier was invented by Chester Carlson, an American patent attorney and physicist who wanted to make copies of documents quickly. Before Carlson’s invention, multiple copies had to be made by hand or sent out for photographic duplication. Carlson experimented with electrophotography, which later became known as xerography. His method created an image by using static electricity to transfer an image to a paper surface. The process was originally called electrophotography but was renamed xerography after the Greek words xeros (dry) and graphein (to write).

Carlson’s early copy machines were very similar to modern photocopiers, but had limited functions. They used a photoconductive surface that was placed inside of a hollow cylinder. This surface, usually a drum of selenium, was given an electric charge by running a small current through it. When the document is placed on the drum, mirrors reflect light off of the document onto the drum’s photoconductive surface. Anywhere the paper touches the drum, the image is copied. 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 to duplicate plain paper, transforming offices. Thue may photocopy hcm was a massive undertaking, taking more than a decade to develop and costing a fortune. Xerox chose to rent the machine rather than sell it, allowing them to generate long-term recurring revenue. Customers would rent the machine for a flat fee of $25 per month, and buy paper and toner (ink) at a cost of about 5 cents each. This model emphasized customer service and was a huge success.

In 1938, Chester Carlson started experimenting with his process of transferring images to paper using static electricity and dry powder. He called his new process “electron photography” but, after consulting a linguist, decided to rename it Xerography, meaning “dry writing” in Greek. The name was trademarked in 1948 and Xerox began manufacturing the machines that became synonymous with photocopying.

In the 1960s and 70s, Xerox dominated the copy machine market and made photocopying as commonplace as the Swingline stapler or Bic pen. However, antitrust laws and competition from new manufacturers caused the company to shift focus in the 1980s. Xerox wanted to move beyond just hardware manufacture to becoming a trusted partner in information management, delivering business services and digital technologies. Despite these changes, the Xerox brand remains a household name and is one of America’s most famous brands.

Digital copiers development

While the digital copier industry has made tremendous strides since Chester Carlson’s kitchen experiment, it still faces challenges. For example, the ubiquity of copying machines has led to a proliferation of intellectual property issues, as well as concerns about bright light exposure. These problems can be addressed through the implementation of security measures and improved technology. In addition, digital copiers can also offer enhanced functionality by connecting to office networks and integrating with document management systems.

Carlson’s process, which he called “electrophotography” (meaning dry writing) was an instant hit and was soon followed by the Haloid Company. It was this company that commercialised the Xerox 914, one of the first ever copier machines to hit the market.

Today, digital copiers are a key component of any modern office. The ability to create copies in a matter of seconds has significantly increased productivity. Additionally, digital copiers allow users to scan documents and save them as images. These images can then be printed multiple times, emailed, or stored.

While analog copiers are becoming less popular, they continue to be used in some scenarios or in regions where advanced technology penetration is limited. However, the push towards digitization and multifunctionality has ensured that digital copiers remain a favorite of businesses around the world. In fact, there are now copiers available in a wide range of styles, from compact to large and heavy duty.