Xerox
1. To set high goals
2. To have almost unattainable aspirations
3. To imbue people with the belief that they can be achieved
These are as important as the balance sheet, perhaps more so.
— J C Wilson, Founder
(thread)
1. To set high goals
2. To have almost unattainable aspirations
3. To imbue people with the belief that they can be achieved
These are as important as the balance sheet, perhaps more so.
— J C Wilson, Founder
(thread)
The first mechanical duplicator (a mimeograph, invented by Edison) was produced in 1887.
Businesses were reluctant to use it because it was a “copier” and the word “copy” had many negative connotations.
Businesses were reluctant to use it because it was a “copier” and the word “copy” had many negative connotations.
The first electro photograph machine was invented by C F Carlson in 1938. The first copy had the words “10-22-38 Astoria” on it — date and name of the place where it was invented. 
From 1947-1960 Haloid (former Xerox) spent twice its cumulative profits on R&D for a photocopier.
Many executives had to subscribe to the stock offering by mortgaging their homes. They were discouraging their relatives not to buy the stock as the prospects seemed bleak.
Many executives had to subscribe to the stock offering by mortgaging their homes. They were discouraging their relatives not to buy the stock as the prospects seemed bleak.
‘Companies are most interesting when they are going through a little misfortune.’
One of the biggest hurdles was finding the right coating for the photoconductive surface. They found selenium (they didn’t know why it worked).
“We were trained scientists, not Yankee tinkers, but we struck a balance between Yankee tinkering and scientific inquiry.”
“We were trained scientists, not Yankee tinkers, but we struck a balance between Yankee tinkering and scientific inquiry.”
The name Xerox was adopted (an imitation of Eastman’s ‘Kodak’, a near-palindrome) against the vehement opposition of the consultants who believed public would find it unpronounceable and would put in their minds a very discouraging word— Zero.
Xerox went to become a verb.
Xerox went to become a verb.
From $33 MN in 1961 Xerox sales went up to half a billion by 1966.
In a decade the number of ‘copies’ made in US alone went from 20 MN to 14 BN.
In a decade the number of ‘copies’ made in US alone went from 20 MN to 14 BN.
In 1966 Xerox was 16th most valuable company in US.
“Well, it was exciting. It was wonderful. It was also terrible.”
(end)
Source: Business Adventures
“Well, it was exciting. It was wonderful. It was also terrible.”
(end)
Source: Business Adventures
