United Cinephone Corporation Brochure, "3 in 1 Scanner Electronic Registration Control," 1946

George Devol was a problem solver and prolific inventor -- particularly in the area of automation. In the 1930s, Devol's company, United Cinephone Corporation, developed and manufactured registration control scanners. These devices helped position paper or other material correctly before printing, cutting or other processing began. Businesses using these devices increased output and reduced production errors and waste.