Chester Carlson
Chester Carlson was an American physicist, inventor, and patent attorney, born on February 8, 1906, in Seattle, Washington. He is best known for inventing the process of electrophotography, which is the foundation for modern photocopying technology. Here are some detailed aspects of his life and contributions:
Early Life and Education
Carlson grew up in a poor family in San Bernardino, California. His father, a barber, died when Carlson was just 17 years old, leaving the family in financial hardship. Despite these challenges, Carlson showed remarkable academic prowess:
Invention of Electrophotography
The need for a more efficient way to copy documents arose from Carlson's work as a patent attorney:
- Inspired by the cumbersome and time-consuming process of manually copying documents, Carlson began experimenting with different methods.
- He developed the process of electrophotography in the 1930s, which he patented in 1940. This process involved using electrostatic forces to create an image on a surface, which was then transferred to paper.
- Despite initial disinterest from major corporations, including IBM and General Electric, Carlson persisted. He eventually found support from Battelle Memorial Institute and later from Haloid Company, which would later become Xerox.
Commercialization and Legacy
The first commercial application of Carlson's invention was the Xerox 914 copier, introduced in 1959:
- This machine revolutionized office work by allowing the quick reproduction of documents.
- Carlson's invention led to the formation of the Xerox Corporation, which became synonymous with photocopying.
- He received numerous awards for his work, including the National Medal of Technology in 1969.
Personal Life and Later Years
Carlson was also known for his philanthropy:
- He donated much of his wealth to various causes, particularly to support scientific research and education.
- He passed away on September 19, 1968, in New York City.
External Links
Related Topics