People ask all the time about the fastest copier in the world, the fastest printer in the world, and when copy machines were invented. So I thought I’d share some interesting facts for all you trivia buffs out there!
Fastest Copier
A Japanese manufacturer has just announced the fastest office copier in the world. Believe it or not, this copier, about the size of a small recliner, can copy 150 pages per minute. This performance comes at a price: $46,000. But for the right application, it could make a real difference.
First Copiers
When was the first copy machine for offices invented? In the 1970s? Early 1980s? Not exactly. The first widely-used copy machine for offices was invented by James Watt in 1779! It relied on physically transferring some of the specially formulated ink from an original letter or drawing to a moistened, thin sheet of paper by means of a press. The copy could then be read from the obverse side. The system was a commercial success and was in use in for over a century.
In 1938, a patent attorney and inventor named Chester Carlson invented the world’s first photocopier. He used his kitchen for “electrophotography” experiments. His patent was approved in 1938, but between 1939 and 1944 Carlson was turned down by over 20 companies, including IBM and General Electric, neither of which believed there was a significant market for copiers.
First Color Copier
Colored toner became available in the 1950s, although full-color copiers were not commercially available until 3M released the Color-in-Color copier in 1968. The 3M copier used a dye sublimation process rather than conventional electrostatic technology. The first electrostatic color copier was released by Canon in 1973.
Fastest laser printers
IBM invented that one. IBM’s Infoprint 4100 achieves a staggering print speed of 330 pages per minute. According to IBM statements, it can print Tolstoy’s War and Peace in less than a minute. The basic version of the printer costs $500,000 and the spearhead of the series costs $1 million.
The Dell 5130cdn can print up to 47 single-sided and up to 37 double-sided letter pages per minute (ppm) in both black & white and color, making it the world's fastest letter size, single-function, office color laser printer. That should get your office color printing done fast!
Most expensive desktop printer
The award for the world’s most expensive desktop printer goes to a very special HP model. HP created a 14kt gold-plated desktop laser printer that has an estimated value of $20,000! HP plans to auction it to raise money for charity.
So in summary, when you look around your office this week and see that copier over there – or that laser printer on your desk – remember the history behind these fascinating devices and enjoy them!
