What is hectograph?
Mankind has long sought out ways to share its opinions and thoughts with other individuals. In previous times individuals were limited to simple forms of technology such as pen and paper or writing n a wall to share the written word. After the invention of the printing press in the fifteenth century communication and life as society has ever known it changed radically. From that point forward the march of technology has produced countless machines and devices to help individual to make printed copy. One of the more popular forms of printing technology in the last 100 years has been the use of the hectograph machine and process. This simple, but revolutionary machine opened up the world to many individuals. This brief article will discuss the use of a hectograph as well as the hectograph process. Individuals who desire a much more in depth article discussing this fascinating printing technology are advised to see the Wikipedia page upon this topic.
The hectograph is a rather simple machine and process to undertake. In its most basic form the machine can be broken down to a few essential parts for proper operation and processing. If an individual desired to make a document with the machine they would first prepares a master paper that will serve as the foundation for all the future copies produced. The paper is either directly written on or typed upon. The sheet of paper is then pressed against a gelatin solution. This step causes the image on the paper to be produced in reverse upon the gelatin. The individual from that point simply presses sheets of paper upon the gelatin containing the impression to make copies of the master sheet. This method is limited to around 200 processing at most. Individuals are capable of using multiple colors and even photos. Today the machine is primarily used in tattoo parlors’. During its heyday the machine was used extensively by school children, teachers, store owners and even prisoners of war. Truly the hectograph is a fascinating machine and process.