Today, 7th October back in 1806, Patent number 2972 was published for an “apparatus for producing duplicated of writings”. Yes, carbon paper had been invented! But by whom? None other than Ralph Wedgwood, the cousin and business partner of the better known Staffordshire potter, Josiah Wedgwood.
The contraption to produce this was invented mainly with blind people in mind. The History of Carbon Paper explains:
In its original form Wedgwood's "Stylographic Writer" was intended to help the blind write through the use of a metal stylus instead of a quill. A piece of paper soaked in printer's ink and dried, was then placed between two sheets of writing paper in order to transfer a copy onto the bottom sheet. Horizontal metal wires on the writing-board acted as feeler-guides for the stylus and presumably helped the blind to write.
Little did I know when I was getting black up to my elbows when I first started using carbon paper!
The contraption to produce this was invented mainly with blind people in mind. The History of Carbon Paper explains:
In its original form Wedgwood's "Stylographic Writer" was intended to help the blind write through the use of a metal stylus instead of a quill. A piece of paper soaked in printer's ink and dried, was then placed between two sheets of writing paper in order to transfer a copy onto the bottom sheet. Horizontal metal wires on the writing-board acted as feeler-guides for the stylus and presumably helped the blind to write.
Little did I know when I was getting black up to my elbows when I first started using carbon paper!
