A History of Colour Photocopiers - By: Jennifer Robinson

Dating back to 1938, the original inventor of photocopying, Mr. Chester Carlson, was a part time researcher, a patent attorney and an inventor. In his role at the Patent Office he was always required to make copies of large amounts of documents. As you could imagine, this process was a tiresome and painstaking task that demanded a new method to simplify the copying of documents. The is the time when experiments began with photoconductivity, and later electro-photography.

For the creator Carlson, notoriety and success came when he created the very first photocopy using a zinc plate and sulphr. However it took a while for some larger companies to take interest in the invention because until then, copies were derived using carbon paper, and some with duplicating machines. People did not understand why the new technology was needed. In fact in the five years between 1939 and 1944, more than twenty companies turned the idea down when Carlson tried to sell it to them. IBM and GE were two of those companies.

It was after this and in 1944 when Carlson teamed up with a non-profit organization, to further develop and improve the idea. Three years later a small paper company showed interest in developing an entirely new market based on the new technology, and in 1947 a license was issued for the company (Haloid) to do just that. It was during this phase that it was decided the name for the process, "electro photography" was too clinical and easily forgotten. After consulting with an expert, the name "Xerography" was given to the process, and so the new machines being promoted to the market were named "Xerox Machines." This is where the term "Xeroxing" came from. Xerox was trademarked in 1948.

The very first xerographic copier was launched in 1949 and due to it's immediate success and popularity, what we now know as "photocopying" was coined "Xeroxing." This is where things really started to get interesting. During the development phase, a new form of copying was discovered. This new method was able to produce a copy using electrostatic images of original documents.
The color aspect of photocopying was introduced in the 1950's with color toner being available at this time. However true color photocopying as we know it today did not eventuate until 3M introduced its Color-In-Color copier in 1968. Later in 1973 Canon introduced the very first electrostatic color photocopier.

So from early beginnings in 1938 to now in 2011, color photocopiers continue to provide more functionality that was ever originally intended. The fact is that the color photocopier has largely replaced the older machines in office buildings, in favor of the new technology copiers, that can offer a digital experience like no other. Now we see most copiers incorporating a super high quality scanner, and a laser printer. Color photocopiers today, include functions to be able to print duplex (double sided), sort and even staple completed documents.

About the Author

Jennifer Robinson writes for Online Connect, specialist suppliers of document management solutions, office equipment and photocopier machines visit their website for colour photocopiers

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