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  • Copy Care Services UK Ltd

The History Of The Printer

Almost every modern office today has a printer somewhere in the building. The contemporary printer can photocopy and print in outstanding quality. What’s more, they’re incredibly reliable and work almost seamlessly with every desktop computer. It's safe to say that they’re an essential part of office life and without a modern-day printer, day-to-day work would be a far cry more challenging.


We’re sure you’re probably aware that printing has a long and diverse history, but the stories behind this essential invention are incredible. Find out how the modern printer found its way into your office or home in this quick blog.



Printer


Early history

The first forms of the printing date back thousands of years to 3000 BC. The Mesopotamians created a round cylinder for rolling images onto clay tablets. To date, most historians mark this as the beginning of printers and from this moment forth, the technique exploded in popularity. Other ancient civilisations such as the Egyptians and Chinese also adopted this technique and soon enough, most of the ancient world could print simple images onto clay.


The development of movable type

During the eleventh century, the next huge development in printing occurred. Pi-Sheng, a Chinese inventor, created type characters using clay which then hardened to make stencils. As of 2022, this is the first known example of movable type and paved the way for the next 500 years of progression and innovation.


Modern History

In 1868, Christopher Latham Sholes invented the first typewriter and this progression in the printing industry transformed the modern age. People could now create their own printed type at home without any difficulty at all. This technology continued to progress until the invention of the digital printer.


The digital printer

After the introduction of the computer in the 20th century, it wasn’t long before the digital printer hit the streets. The first electric printer was built by the Japanese company Epson and was named the EP-101. This 1968 invention paved the way for the late 20th century and printers, of course, became one of the most common office machines in the modern world.


If you’re after a new printer or photocopier, then here at Copy Care Services UK Ltd we can certainly help. Our services are extremely reliable and our staff have years of experience to help you make the right choice for your needs. Your new printer will likely see a lot of use over the years, so you’ll need to leave us confident that the machine will do the job.


What’s more, we can look after your printer even after you’ve purchased it. We offer printer repairs to help you stay environmentally conscious and save money. Contact our friendly and experienced staff today to find out more!

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