Multifunction printers, or MFPs, have become indispensable in modern workplaces. They offer printing, scanning, faxing, and copying from a single device. It’s easy to take these versatile machines for granted, but MFPs have come a long way in a short span of time.
Not too long ago, offices required separate machines for printing and photocopying. This consumes valuable space and inflates operational costs. Before the turn of the millennium, most copiers were analog. This limited to copying one page at a time and was devoid of digital storage or transmission capabilities.
Today we’ll delve deeper into the history of these devices. Let’s trace their evolution from a time before printers and copiers merged into one.
Early Beginnings
In the past, document creation and sharing were arduous tasks. They involved scribes handwriting documents or employing block printing techniques. Handwriting was time-consuming and costly, restricting access to knowledge.
Block printing required carving text or illustrations onto wooden blocks. They were then inked and pressed onto pages. This method was far from efficient, as each page necessitated its own block, which wore out.
Fast forward to the 1440s when Johannes Gutenberg revolutionized printing. Enter the invention of letterpress printing. By placing each letter of the alphabet on individual blocks, printers could arrange these blocks to compose sentences.
Before this innovation, Europe had only around 30,000 books. Within 50 years of Gutenberg’s breakthrough, the number skyrocketed to 12,000,000.
A New Chapter in Technology
Jumping ahead to 1938 in New York, Chester Carlson, a patent attorney, faced the challenge of high-volume document copying. His determination led to a groundbreaking solution: electrophotography, later known as xerography. Preparing a zinc plate with a sulfur coating and applying cotton to create a static charge, Carlson made his first copy. The phrase was “10-22-38 Astoria.”
With the advent of IBM and the DOS operating system, computers began to replace typewriters in businesses. This shift opened doors to spreadsheet and word processing capabilities. It drove the need for efficient data management and production.
Dot matrix printers emerged, transforming the handling of data. The printer market boomed, reducing manufacturers’ reliance on computer sales.
The Digital Revolution
The 1980s saw the rise of laser printing as the standard for high-volume printing. This technology capitalized on advances in local area networking. It set the stage for the eventual fusion of copying and digital printing. But, true MFPs were still on the horizon–requiring manufacturers to overcome several challenges:
- Developing budget-friendly MFPs for small businesses and homes.
- Adapting to evolving network technologies for seamless office integration.
- Streamlining multiple functions into a single device without sacrificing efficiency.
When MFPs finally entered the market, they were primarily sold through copier dealerships. This decision came with its own set of challenges. Retailers needed to provide sales and support for unfamiliar technology. These devices were not cheap, and the lack of adequate support hindered the growth of the MFP market.
The Present and Beyond
Despite a rocky start, MFPs have established themselves in office equipment. Significant advancements in software and wireless networking have enhanced their functionality. With MFPs, offices are able to use a single device for various copying and printing tasks.
From analog to digital, the future of MFPs lies in harnessing technological innovations for document digitization and cloud storage. Soon we’ll be aligning with the trend toward paperless offices.
To learn more about multifunction printers and managed print services for your office, get in touch with our team today!
