XEROGRAPHY

Walter Benjamin's 1935 essay, "The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction," set the stage for a discussion on the impact of mass reproduction on art and text. While Benjamin's focus was on the world of art, it's intriguing to draw parallels with the advent of photocopying and its effect on the production and availability of textual material.

2. How Xerography Works?

• Photocopying is a method of duplicating content, primarily referring to xerography, which is known for its dry, efficient process. Xerographic machines are widely used for quick and cost-effective reproduction of printed material.
• Xerography relies on several key components. It begins with a photoconductive surface, which becomes conductive when exposed to light.
• This surface is negatively charged, and the paper to be copied is illuminated.
• The dark areas on the paper block the light, leaving the photoconductive surface charged in corresponding areas.
• Toner, a positively charged powdery substance, is then applied to the charged surface, adhering to the negatively charged areas.
• The image is transferred to a sheet of paper with a stronger negative charge, and the toner is melted and fused to the paper, creating the final copy.
• In practice, a rotating drum is often used, and the paper is illuminated with a flashing or stroboscopic light or a moving scanner, making the process even more efficient.

3. Innovations in Xerography

• Since its inception in the 1930s, xerography has seen numerous innovations, including improvements in toner supply, cost reduction, the development of colour copying, laser-based technologies, and enhancements in user experience.
• Inspired by Hungarian engineer Paul Selenyi, American attorney Chester F. Carlson developed an early version of xerography by 1938.
• He subsequently sold his idea to the Battelle Memorial Institute in Ohio, where researchers refined the technique.
• In 1946, the Haloid Photographic Company in New York purchased a license from Battelle, trademarking the "Xerox machine" in 1948 and making the first model available in 1949.
• This led to the founding of the Xerox Corporation, with pivotal models like the Xerox 914 in 1959 and the Xerox 813 in 1963.

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4. Impact on Society

• Xerography's impact extends to various aspects of life. In 2002, Xerox machines refused to copy banknotes with a specific marking, preventing counterfeiting attempts. Such anti-photocopying features have been found on banknotes from numerous national banks.
• In 2012, academic publishers, including Oxford University Press, filed a copyright infringement suit against a photocopy shop and the University of Delhi. This case highlighted the benefits of making affordable copies of educational materials. Xerography enabled independent copying and distribution of texts, sometimes bypassing censorship.
• Walter Benjamin argued that mechanical reproduction had shifted art's value from ritual to politics. However, xerography's consequences are multifaceted. In 1970s New York, a vibrant arts scene emerged, empowered by xerography. Musicians, artists, and writers utilized low-cost printing to self-publish, promote events, and disseminate their work, transcending traditional gallery and museum spaces.

5. Conclusion

Xerography, born out of the ingenuity of Chester F. Carlson, has left an indelible mark on the world, revolutionizing the reproduction of text and art and empowering various fields, from finance to education and culture.