What did people do before Xerox machines?

Question

Did everyone have to hand sketch copies of their documents?

Answer 1

If someone handed you a document, then you would have to retype it if it was a text document.

If you originated a document then there were spirit duplicators like Banda machines and duplicators that use typing to cut through a waxed sheet through which ink was pressed to print copies.

For making archive copies of documents you could photograph the documents onto 35mm filmstock. You will find many libraries have copies of old newspapers held in this form. Microfiche was a similar system with much reduced sets of photographs on small celluloid cards.

For larger items such as engineering drawings, maps etc you would need a system I think was called "Dyeline printing" and this required large, expensive machines with (as I recall) surly operators.

Answer 2

There were several methods of copying. You could cut a stencil, and make copies of documents or whatever by that method, or you could use the gel pad process - there was a special pencil that you wrote with, then pressed the paper with the writing on it into the gel, and by placing a fresh sheet of paper on the gel, the writing would be transferred to the paper. This could be used to make about 20-25 copies, and then would have to be renewed.  

Answer 3

They used hand cranked carbon presses.  I used to use one in high school to make hand outs for the teachers.

Answer 4

Oh, gasp!

There were mimeograph machines. You'd have to type your document on a gel-coated master, mount it on the drum and create copies which used a special "ink" which, if I recall correctly, could get you high if you inhaled too deeply. Forget pictures.