Duplicators

Duplicators

Duplicators, also known as duplicating machines, are devices used to make copies of documents or other media. They were first introduced in the early 20th century and were widely used in offices and other workplaces until the advent of digital technologies made them largely obsolete. Duplicators work by transferring ink from a master copy onto a blank sheet of paper, typically using a stencil or other similar method. The earliest duplicators were based on the mimeograph, which used a stencil made of wax or other material to transfer ink onto paper. Later models used more advanced technology, such as the spirit duplicator, which used a special type of ink that could be transferred onto paper without the need for a stencil. Other types of duplicators included the hectograph, which used a gelatin pad to transfer ink, and the Gestetner machine, which used a rotary drum to transfer ink onto paper. Duplicators were widely used in offices, schools, and other workplaces throughout much of the 20th century, and were particularly popular for producing large quantities of documents quickly and inexpensively. However, they were also known for being messy and difficult to use, and required a certain amount of skill and expertise to operate effectively. With the rise of digital technologies, such as photocopiers and printers, duplicators have largely fallen out of use, although they are still used in some specialized applications.

mimeograph, spirit duplicator, hectograph, Gestetner machine, photocopiers

— Christopher Jackson

CITATION : "Christopher Jackson. 'Duplicators.' Design+Encyclopedia. https://design-encyclopedia.com/define/duplicators?E=380121 (Accessed on October 14, 2026)"