Printers have become an integral part of our lives, whether it be at home or in the office. They have come a long way since their invention, and one of the earliest types of printers that were used is the line printer. In this article, we will explore what a line printer is, its types, how it works, and its applications.
What is a line printer and its types?
A line printer is a type of computer printer that prints one line of text or characters at a time. These printers are known for their high speed and durability, making them an ideal choice for large-scale printing jobs. There are two types of line printers:
Impact line printer – This type of printer works by striking a ribbon with a series of hammers, each of which has a character on it. The ribbon is then pressed against the paper, leaving an imprint of the character.
Non-impact line printer – This type of printer works by using a laser or inkjet technology to print characters onto the paper.
When was the printer invented, and who invented the line printer?
1.
Fritz Karl Preikschat was a German inventor who submitted five patents for his invention of a teleprinter with seven print wires for a 7×5 dot matrix between 1952 and 1954. This invention improved the printing speed and accuracy of teleprinters, which were widely used at the time for sending and receiving messages via telegraph or telephone lines.
The teleprinter with a 7×5 dot matrix used a set of seven print wires that could be individually activated to create dot matrix patterns on a sheet of paper. This allowed for the printing of alphanumeric characters, symbols, and other graphics, and improved the legibility and quality of printed messages.
Preikschat’s invention was an important contribution to the development of teleprinters, which played a critical role in the evolution of modern telecommunications. Today, teleprinters have largely been replaced by digital messaging systems, but they remain an important part of the history of information technology.
2.
The first printer was invented in 1953 by Remington Rand, which used a type of typewriter technology to print characters onto paper. However, the line printer was invented in 1925 by Robert R. Seeber.
Who uses line printers, and what are they used for?
Line printers were widely used in the early days of computing, especially in large businesses and government agencies. They were used for printing reports, invoices, and other large-scale documents. Today, they are still used in some industries where high-speed and high-volume printing is required, such as in the printing of utility bills, bank statements, and payroll checks.
What are the types of line printers?
As mentioned earlier, there are two types of line printers: impact and non-impact. The impact line printers are further classified into drum printers, chain printers, and band printers. Drum printers use a rotating drum with characters on it, while chain printers use a chain of characters. Band printers use a band of characters that rotates around a set of print hammers. Non-impact line printers are classified into laser printers, LED printers, and inkjet printers.
How does a line printer work?
The working mechanism of a line printer depends on its type. In an impact line printer, the print hammers strike the ribbon, which transfers ink onto the paper. The paper is then advanced to the next line, and the process is repeated until the entire page is printed. In a non-impact line printer, ink or toner is transferred onto the paper using a laser or inkjet technology.
Why do printers print with lines?
Printers print with lines because it allows for higher speed printing. By printing one line at a time, line printers can print at a much faster rate than printers that print character by character. This makes them ideal for large-scale printing jobs where speed and efficiency are critical.
Conclusion:
Line printers have come a long way since their invention in 1925. Although they are no longer as widely used as they once were, they still have a place in industries where high-speed and high-volume printing is required. The different types of line printers available today, such as impact and non-impact line printers, offer various advantages and disadvantages depending on the application. As technology continues to advance, it will be interesting to see how line printers evolve and adapt to new challenges.
