Copy that!

The 'Xerox' process celebrated its 70th birthday yesterday.

Xerography, the invention that made it possible for people to create and share information with trillions of copies and laser prints first began when a copy was made on October 22 1938, in a makeshift laboratory behind a beauty parlour in Astoria, Queens, a borough in New York City.

The copy, preserved in the Smithsonian Institution, reads “10-22-38 ASTORIA.” The inventor, Chester Carlson, was a scientist and patent attorney who was determined to find a simple way to make copies of documents. Were he still alive, Carlson might well be surprised to learn his invention uncorked an information revolution that has continued to this day, making information readily available and expanding the world’s total knowledge.

Infotrends, an independent industry consultancy, estimates that 3.08 trillion copies and prints were made around the world this year on products fathered by Carlson’s invention.

Around the world many people still refer to making a copy as 'Xeroxing' so Mr Carlson, for being personally responsible for creating the market for more than 40% of our annual sales we at UOE salute and thank you!