The History of Xerox Copiers: From Innovation to Design

There is a reason that for much of the world, “copying” is synonymous with “Xeroxing”. In the world of copiers, no other brands come even close to Xerox's magnanimous reputation, as it stands out high above its competitors in this domain.

Xerox is renowned for pioneering photocopying technology and revolutionizing document management. For many decades, its machines have been widely adopted in businesses, educational institutions, and government offices, ensuring success worldwide.

Celebrated for their reliability, ease of use, and ability to produce high-quality duplicates, Xerox copiers in Toronto have set the standard when it comes to document duplication. Xerox has created numerous printing and copying innovations over the years, and the company’s commitment to research and development has led to many technological breakthroughs.

In addition to producing consistently high-quality copiers, the company’s emphasis on top-notch customer service has also helped make Xerox a household name, solidifying its position as a dominant force in copiers in Toronto.

What are some of the most significant achievements in Xerox’s history?

Xerox has a long history, stretching back nearly 120 years to 1906, when the company (originally called the Haloid Company) was first formed. There are many noteworthy milestones that Xerox has accomplished between then and now.

In order to truly appreciate the calibre of this company and its contributions to the world of photocopying, it helps to look back at some of the many achievements Xerox has accomplished over the years.

1900s:

• On April 18, 1906, in Rochester, New York, the M.H. Kuhn Company transformed into the Haloid Company to pursue the business of manufacturing and selling photographic paper.

1930s:

• In 1935, the son of the Haloid company’s co-founder, Joseph R. Wilson, urged his father to acquire the Rectigraph Company, a photocopying machine manufacturer that used Haloid paper.
• In 1938, the American inventor Chester Carlson began researching the concept of electrophotography and made the first-ever xerographic image in his New York lab—a handwritten notation of the date and his location (“10-22-38 ASTORIA”).

1940s:

• On October 6, 1942, Chester Carlson received a patent for electrophotography (known later on as xerography), a technology that would change the world of document imaging forever.
• In 1948, xerography was formally introduced to the world at the Optical Society of America Annual Meeting in Detroit, Michigan. That same year, the word “Xerox” was trademarked.
• In 1949, modelled on Chester Carlton’s xerography manual, Model A became the first-ever xerographic copier.

1950s:

• The Haloid Company changed its name to Haloid Xerox Inc. on April 16, 1958, reflecting its shift towards a focus on commercial xerography.
• The Xerox 914 was introduced in 1959 as the world’s first automatic, plain-paper commercial copier. The success of this printer cements the company’s reputation as a leader in the copier industry.

1960s:

• In 1961, the company changed its name once again to Xerox Corporation.
• In 1967, Xerox Corporation focused on reusing natural resources by recovering metals from used photoreceptor drums for use in new products.
• The company committed itself to sustainability in 1969 by introducing copiers with energy-saving standards, the first of many initiatives focused on protecting the environment.

1970s:

• In 1970, the company introduced a breakthrough technology that made it possible to transfer images using an electrostatic charge and toner rather than ink and pressure, allowing for the seamless rendering of digital documents onto paper.
• In the same year, Xerox introduced two-sided copying, an innovation that reduced paper costs, saved time, and saved storage space.
• The industry’s very first xerographic laser printer, the Xerox 9700, was introduced in 1977.

1980s:

• In 1982, Xerox’s breakthrough 10 Series copiers became the first in the industry to utilize built-in microcomputers with low-bandwidth Ethernet as a communications interface, thanks to innovations at Xerox PARC.
• With the introduction of the ECP-42 system in 1983, short-run, large-format digital colour printing hit the market.
• In 1986, Xerox PARC developed the world’s first dual beam lasers, which enabled the development of high-resolution production printing systems and made printing twice as fast.

1990s:

• In 1990, Xerox announced its Total Satisfaction Guarantee, demonstrating its commitment to customer success and consistently producing high-quality products.
• Xerox joined the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR® Office Equipment program as a charter partner, and helped to create the program’s guidelines for developing energy-efficient products.
• One of the most profitable debuts in Xerox’s history took place, with the Docucolor 40, which instantly captured more than 50% of the high-speed colour copier market thanks to its ability to print 40 full-colour pages every minute.
• In 1997, Xerox became the first printing company to create a blue laser, featuring a reduced wavelength that allowed for much higher-resolution printing. The same year, Xerox developed and introduced 79 other new products, bringing the total release count to 80—the company’s largest number of new releases in a single year before or since.

2000s:

• Xerox’s breakthrough dual-engine printer platform was released in 2006. It became the foundation for future Xerox printer designs and delivered unmatched productivity and reliability to the industry.
• Combining its advanced multifunction product leadership and proven solid ink technology, Xerox released the ColorQube 9200 series in 2009, delivering groundbreaking business advantages in cost, speed, ease of use, and sustainability.

2010s:

• In 2017, Xerox’s AltaLink devices were the first multifunction printers (MFPs) to be certified by the National Information Assurance Partnership (NIAP) under rigorous new testing standards.

How You Can Get a Top-Quality Xerox Copier Through DOS Canada

In addition to all the achievements listed above, Xerox has won countless awards thanks to its innovations, sustainability, and workplace practices, clearly establishing the company as the leader in its field.

If you are interested in acquiring copiers in Toronto made by this legendary monolith in the photocopying and document management industry, DOS Canada can help you get the latest and greatest Xerox products.

We have a wide selection of Xerox office solutions available, ranging from printers and MFPs to scanners. You can get these new and used products through us for affordable prices.

If you are unsure of the best type of copier in Toronto for your office, one of our experts would be happy to discuss your unique needs to help you find the perfect solution.

If you only require certain office equipment on a short-term basis, we also offer flexible lease and short-term rental agreements on our products, allowing you to access reliable top-quality products for as long as you need at fair prices. It is our mission to help you boost efficiency and productivity at your office, and our high-performing products will certainly get you there.

For more information about how we can help you find copiers in Toronto, or to learn more about the various types of copiers and printers we carry in stock, call DOS Canada at 1-647-557-1788 or contact us here.