Explain spirit duplicator
Many individuals think of printing technology in broad modern terms. Individuals tend to think of either large impressive printing machines or the small yet resourceful home printer. Many individuals forget that printing technology is a varied and expansive filed. In the history of printing there have been many machines and process that served a vital role, yet were simple and now due to better technology forgotten. One such machine that allowed countless numbers of individuals the ability to simply and easily share a printed page was the spirit duplicator machine. Similar in many ways to today’s home printing devices this machine allowed printing technology to be available to even the most technologically basic of individuals. This brief article will discuss the spirit duplicator and its printing process as well as the many uses that it was used for. For a much more in depth article discussing this fascinating printing apparatus individuals are advised to read the enlightening Wikipedia page upon the topic.
The spirit duplicator machine worked in a simple and straightforward manner. The entire process of printing was quick and easy for even the most unlearned person. The individual would simple take a special sheet of 2 ply paper and print or write upon one side of it. On the other side of the paper there was a layer of wax that was infused with colorants. When the individual typed upon the first sheet the second impregnated sheet would release wax colorant upon the other based upon pressure. The individuals then would take the first sheet and placed it upon a rolling drum. The wax that was applied to the paper would then be used as a sort of printing type. The drum would be turned and cheap paper would then be pressed against it to produce multiple copies. This process used no ink and thus was rather clean and simple. The ditto machine, as it was called in the United States, was primarily used by churches, school children and fanzines.