As individuals, we are always taught to look forward into the future.

However, an analysis of the past

is often educational as well. Take for example, the question of printing.

Within the sphere of printing, 3D printing technology is all the rage. There are not only claims that it
will replace conventional printing but also suggestions that it will overturn the manufacturing industry
of the world as we know it.

While people are obsessing over 3D printing and rightly so, they are continuing on with their use of
conventional printers such as inkjet printers and laser printers.

In fact, not so long ago, there were claims that laser printing technology will replace inkjet printing.
However, with competition from laser printing, inkjet printing technology saw major boosts.

Nowadays, inkjet printers are gradually replacing laser printers in the office setup (traditionally a
market dominated by laser printers). With laser printers expected to lose their sheen in the modern
world, to inkjet printers in the medium term and then to 3D printers in the long term, we felt a need
to delve into the history toner cartridges which made laser printing possible. Here’s our take.

The History of Toner Cartridges Began With Xerography

Chester Carlson
Chester Carlson

The history of toner cartridges, as is obvious, is closely tied to the history of laser printing.

The history of laser printing can be traced to xerography or electrophotography, as it was known
then. This was a process that combined photography with electrostatic printing.

The process, itself, was very cumbersome and tedious since it involved multiple manual stages. The
inventor of this machine was Chester Carlson. The evolution of xerography led to the development of
the original version of the modern day laser printer– the Xerox 914.

Xerox 914 was unveiled to the public in 1959. It was named so because it could copy sheets
measuring up 9 inches x 14 inches. The Xerox 914 was an extremely complex machine that always
came with a small fire extinguisher. The reason what that it had a tendency to catch fire if
overheated! Can you imagine that ever happening to the modern laser printer?

It is with the Xerox 914 that the history of toner cartridges also begins. The Xerox 914 used an
extremely basic form of the modern day toner. The toner mixture used in the 914 contained plastic
polymer, iron oxide, and carbon.

These are, more or less, same ingredients that are used in toner cartridges of today. The difference is
that the modern day toner cartridge mixtures are more refined, so to speak.

The Complexity of the Early Form Toner Cartridges

xerox 914The Xerox 914 was a complicated machine. As a matter of fact, it was so complicated that it
required a whole team of technicians to work. Notably, the history of toner cartridges begins with a
fixed box inside the Xerox 914.

You couldn’t replace them. Instead, you were required to refill them, not unlike what the refilling
experts do today.

The machine needed to be opened up so that the toner could be poured down a special hole. What’s
worse is that the toner was generally contained in a basic bottle.