Model 78 Edison Mimeograph, 1925

Summary

Thomas Edison received a patent in 1876 for "Autographic Printing," covering the electric pen and flatbed press; a patent for "Autographic Stencils" followed in 1880. The mimeograph was invented by Albert Blake Dick in 1887, who licensed and refined Edison's patents. This low-cost, stencil-based printing technology was popular until displaced by photocopying machines and offset printing in the 1960s.

Thomas Edison received a patent in 1876 for "Autographic Printing," covering the electric pen and flatbed press; a patent for "Autographic Stencils" followed in 1880. The mimeograph was invented by Albert Blake Dick in 1887, who licensed and refined Edison's patents. This low-cost, stencil-based printing technology was popular until displaced by photocopying machines and offset printing in the 1960s.

Artifact

Mimeograph

Date Made

1925

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

2002.65.12

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of A.B. Dick Company.

Material

Steel
Wood (Plant Material)
Enamel
Chromium
Brass (Alloy)
Plastic
Felt (Textile)
Rubber (Material)
Paper (Fiber product)

Color

Black (Color)

Dimensions

Width: 20.25 in

Height: 14.625 in

Length: 16 in

Inscriptions

on drum: U.S. PATENTS: JUNE 30, 1903 / DEC. 15, 1903 / FEB. 2, 1904 / DEC. 17, 1907 / APR. 14, 1908 / MAY 25, 1909 / APR. 23, 1912 / FEB 15, 1913 / APR. 1, 1913 / FEB. 10, 1914 / MAY 25, 1915 / MAY 16, 1916 / PATENTED IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES / EDISON MIMEOGRAPH NO. 78 MODEL B / SERIAL NO. 79606* / GUARANTEE . . . / A.B. DICK / COMPANY / CHICAGO U.S.A. / MADE IN U.S.A.

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