The story of Xerox from their own side

From The Story of Xerography Page 1 of 13

Our Heritage, Our Commitment  

"10-22-38 ASTORIA"

This humble legend marks the time and place of an auspicious event.

It is the text of the first xerographic image ever fashioned. It was created in a

makeshift laboratory in Queens, NY. by a patent attorney named Chester

Carlson, who believed that the world was ready for an easier and less costly way to make copies.

Carlson was proved right only after a discouraging ten-year search for a company that would develop

his invention into a useful product. It was the Haloid Company, a small photo-paper maker in

Rochester, N.Y, which took on the challenge and the promise of xerography and thus became, in a

breathtakingly short time, the giant multinational company now known to the world as Xerox

Corporation.

This report contains several stories about xerography: the man who invented it, the company that

made it work, and the products it yielded for the benefit of mankind.

These stories chronicle a classic American success story: How men of courage

and vision grew a highly profitable business from little more than the seed of

an idea.

Certainly, Xerox has changed greatly in size and scope since the historic 914

copier was introduced in 1959. But we also believe that the basic personality

of Xerox has never changed. We are convinced that the essential attributes

that brought the young Xerox such spectacular rewards in office copying are

the same attributes we need to assure continued success for the mature Xerox

as it develops total office information capability.

Under the leadership of Joseph C. Wilson, the Haloid people demonstrated

extraordinary vision when they searched far afield of their bread-and-butter business to acquire the

patents of an untried invention. They saw enormous potential where others saw only the hazards.

And at Xerox today, research scientists are exploring the outer reaches of office information

technology, looking in unconventional places for solutions to problems facing the offices of the world

ten or twenty years from now.

We know that if we are to assume and maintain leadership in this vast new area of office information

systems, we must continue to seek out new and better and cheaper ways of handling information.

The Haloid leaders also took great risks in opting to develop xerography. They put up much of the

company's modest earnings, and millions of dollars more in outside investment, to develop the first

xerographic products.

Because of that initial gamble, Xerox today possesses a wealth of financial and human resources to

take some prudent risks on unproven technologies and untried strategies which show great promise.

The Story of Xerography Page 2 of 13

Risk-taking is in our blood. And we think that, in the long run, it will enhance our balance sheet as

well.

We are well aware of our heritage at Xerox, of the traditions of growth, courage and excellence. We

are determined to be worthy of that heritage.