Mimeoscope

In 1914-16, the A.B. Dick Company patented the mimeoscope. A mimeoscope, which is basically a light table, had an electrically illuminated glass top on which the operator traced drawings onto mimeograph stencils. The stencil took the place of tracing paper. The electric light was needed because the stencils were heavier and less transparent than tracing paper.

The mimeoscope, also known as a mimeograph, was invented at the turn of the 20th century. Its purpose was to increase the number of copies that could be made in a short amount of time. A featured company that created a Model 75 Rotary Mimeograph was A.B. Dick. This model was able to make 50 copies per minute. There were several other versions of mimeoscopes created over the years. Some other models include the Edison Rotary Mimeograph and the Edison Mimeograph 77A. These are said to have been used in all the copies of orders from the U.S. military during World War I.^[1]

Mimeoscopes were used for a lot of illustrations and in promotional work as well. Designs, maps, and plans could be easily drawn and copied for quick production and distribution. Customers could add these visuals to their instructions or announcements. Those who did not have time to read the entire document would still be able to look at it and quickly know what it was about.^[2]

References

External links

• Shannon Johnson's Mimeoscope Page