The History of the Printer

The printing world has changed heavily over the years, with printer leasing companies being around since the beginning. However, the technology has upgraded multiple times to produce unique changes to the market. Here's a quick look at the history of printing that may interest you.

The Invention of the Printer

Printing is almost as old as human civilization, but the first printer, as we recognize them, is nowhere near as old. For example, according to Computer Hope, the first mechanical printer was invented in 1837. It took much longer for computer-based printing to become an art. According to Xerox, the first foundation for computer printing was the invention of electrophotography.

Created by Chester Carlson in 1938, this process (the foundation of the Xerox technique) was the key technique used by printers for many years. This concept is still used in many Xerox machines even today, though more advanced printers are now available.

The Origin of High-Speed Printers

Mechanical printers were primarily operated by electrophotography for many years and were, like early computers, very large and expensive. The average homeowner couldn't afford them, and most businesses either rented them from printer leasing companies or got printing elsewhere. However, the advent of cheaper high-speed printers helped make them more affordable for ordinary people.

For example, the first high-speed printer was connected to the Unifact computer in 1953, while the original laser printer was created by Xerox in 1971. As these printers became wider spread throughout the market, the concept of on-site printing became more common. Firms weren't as reliant on third-party printers to handle all their basic needs.

Inkjet and Laser Printers Become Household Items

As printers advanced and computers became less expensive, the concepts of inkjet and laser printers spread throughout the nation. First, they had to get a foothold on the business front. For example, according to IBM, the first high-speed IBM laser printer (the 3800) was installed in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in the data center of an F. W. Woolworth in 1976.

In 1976, the inkjet was invented and finally became a home item in 1988 with the release of the DeskJet, a Hewlett-Packard system. According to Hewlett-Packard, the first 600 x 600 dots-per-inch laser printer, the LaserJet 4, was released in 1992. This printer revolutionized home printing and gave amateurs their first look at nearly industrial-level print quality.

This unique history showcases how printers have become such a widespread and important phenomenon in business. The same is true of printer leasing companies: without them, many firms would struggle to handle their firm's unique printing needs. Thankfully, you can contact us to get the support you need for your printing requirements and avoid overspending. We understand that making the investment in a state-of-the-art copy machine isn’t a light decision. Let Click Copies help you determine if it’s one that makes sense for your business. Call us at (404) 376-2334 to take advantage of our business-boosting services.