Milestone-Proposal talk:Development of the Laser Printer

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Comments -- Jbart64 (talk) 16:35, 31 August 2020 (UTC)

To all- I have worked closely with the proposer and the team who compiled this Milestone proposal. I fully support the final proposal as shown, which contains the team's consolidated edits and combined thoughts. The proposer is one of the experts, and a second expert has been contacted. Statements from both will be posted when received. David Bart Milestone Advocate

Expert response -- Jbart64 (talk) 14:01, 1 September 2020 (UTC)

On Aug 31, 2020, at 6:23 PM, John Shoch <j@shoch.com> wrote:

My name is John Shoch. I joined the Xerox Palo Alto Research Center (PARC) in 1971; it was in my first year there that I saw an early demonstration of the Xerox laser printing engine, the Scanning Laser Output Terminal (SLOT). Over the years that SLOT was combined with the Ethernet local network, the Alto computer, and the Research Character Generator (RCG) [and lots of software] to produce EARS -- the first laser print server. For several years this laser print server produced millions of prints as the only networked print server for Xerox PARC.

I ended my career at Xerox as President of the Office Systems Division; one of our products was an early commercial laser printer server.

My later career as a venture capitalist kept me in touch with many of the principals, and subsequent market developments.

I have reviewed, and support, the proposed IEEE milestone, "Development of the Laser Printer, 1971-1977."

John Shoch Xerox, 1971-1985 Life Member, IEEE Trustee, Computer History Museum

Expert response #2 -- Jbart64 (talk) 14:05, 1 September 2020 (UTC)

On Aug 31, 2020, at 5:00 PM, Geoff Thompson <thompson@ieee.org> wrote:

To The History Committee-

My name is Geoffrey Thompson. I am a Life Senior Member of the IEEE. I am a member and past chair of the IEEE Registration Authority Committee (RAC). I am a Member Emeritus of the IEEE 802 LMSC Executive Committee. I am past chair of the IEEE 802.3 Ethernet Working Group (1993 - 2002).

I was employed by Xerox from 1965 - 1998 and an employee of Xerox PARC from 1973 - 1981. During my tenure at PARC, I worked directly for Gary Starkweather, the inventor and developer of the laser xerographic printer. My job during that period when I worked closely with Gary was to design and build digital subsystems for the video or control of Gary's laser printers.

After I left PARC I worked in Workstation development in Xerox, mostly on Ethernet related topics. In 1988 I left Xerox to join a Xerox spin-out, SynOptics Communications to be their representative (as an individual) on IEEE Standards Committees.

I have been working on IEEE networking standards and governance ever since.

I have reviewed, and support, the proposed IEEE milestone, "Development of the Laser Printer, 1971-1977."

Sincerely, Geoffrey O. Thompson, Life Senior Member

possible citation editing -- Amy Bix (talk) 16:00, 30 September 2020 (UTC)

Just some suggestions to maybe sharpen the citation and make it less technical for a general audience?:

In 1971, PARC researchers demonstrated the feasibility of laser-printing computer images on single pages, a major advance over older slow printers that used spools of continuous-feed paper. Innovative designs for a computer-driven optical system transferred digital information to a xerographic copier. The Xerox 9700's launch in 1977 brought rapid printing into offices and homes, fostering both efficiency and creativity in business and leisure computer use.

Support proposal -- John Vardalas (talk) 21:13, 30 September 2020 (UTC)

I support this proposal. Though I do prefer the last sentence in Amy Bix's version of the citation.

Correct Milestone Plaque Location Designation -- Bberg (talk) 14:02, 1 October 2020 (UTC)

Please note that the plaque location designation of "Xerox PARC" is inaccurate as Xerox formed Palo Alto Research Center, Inc. as a wholly-owned subsidiary in 2002. Hence, while the address is fully accurate since the location has not changed, the location designation should instead read "PARC (Palo Alto Research Center)."

Re: Correct Milestone Plaque Location Designation -- Jason.k.hui (talk) 16:44, 4 October 2020 (UTC)

Would the proposer please update this in the proposal?

Now such a ubiquitous piece of apparatus -- Djkemp (talk) 21:50, 2 October 2020 (UTC)

Details noted for History Committee discussion.