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- Edison's Autographic Press and Electric Pen, 1875-1880 - Thomas Edison's electric pen, an ancestor of both the mimeograph and the tattoo needle, was a successful product in the mid-1870s. Users would write normally with the pen, which, instead of a nib, had a needle powered by an electric motor. The needle poked holes into a stencil, which was then used to copy the document. Many businesses found document duplication an attractive possibility.

- 1875-1880
- Collections - Artifact
Edison's Autographic Press and Electric Pen, 1875-1880
Thomas Edison's electric pen, an ancestor of both the mimeograph and the tattoo needle, was a successful product in the mid-1870s. Users would write normally with the pen, which, instead of a nib, had a needle powered by an electric motor. The needle poked holes into a stencil, which was then used to copy the document. Many businesses found document duplication an attractive possibility.
- Portable Letter Copying Press, circa 1890 -

- circa 1890
- Collections - Artifact
Portable Letter Copying Press, circa 1890
- Copy Press, 1890-1910 - The copy press, while visually similar to certain printing presses, serves a different function. These devices were used to make copies of handwritten correspondence or drawings. A document written in water-soluble ink was moistened and placed in the press to make a duplicate. James Watt--who improved upon and invented important steam engines--patented the perfected copy press in 1780.

- 1890-1910
- Collections - Artifact
Copy Press, 1890-1910
The copy press, while visually similar to certain printing presses, serves a different function. These devices were used to make copies of handwritten correspondence or drawings. A document written in water-soluble ink was moistened and placed in the press to make a duplicate. James Watt--who improved upon and invented important steam engines--patented the perfected copy press in 1780.
- Edison Electric Pen Press, 1875-1880 -

- 1875-1880
- Collections - Artifact
Edison Electric Pen Press, 1875-1880
- Edison Electric Pen Press, 1875-1880 -

- 1875-1880
- Collections - Artifact
Edison Electric Pen Press, 1875-1880