Imagine walking into a shop and asking for a “Xerox” of your document instead of a photocopy. Sounds normal, right? But what if we told you that Xerox is actually a company, not a verb? 🤯 Yes, you read that right!
For decades, people across India (and beyond) have casually used “Xerox” as a synonym for photocopying, much like how we say “Google” instead of “search” or “FedEx” instead of “courier.” But unlike Google, which has embraced this linguistic takeover, Xerox has been trying for years to remind people that they are a brand, not a photocopying action.
So, how did this everyday habit start? Let’s rewind to the origins of Xerox and its game-changing invention, xerography.
The Man Who Changed How We Copy Documents
Before Xerox, making copies was a time-consuming process. Enter Chester Carlson, a physicist and patent lawyer who was tired of the hassle of manually duplicating documents. In 1938, he invented a dry-copying technique called “Xerography,” combining the Greek words “xeros” (dry) and “graphia” (writing).
This revolutionary idea caught the attention of the Haloid Company, a small photo-paper manufacturer in New York. They partnered with Carlson, developed the technology, and in 1959, launched the world’s first-ever commercial photocopier: The Xerox 914.
Fun fact: The “914” copier became so famous that Xerox became synonymous with photocopying. That’s when the brand name started becoming an everyday word—a marketing dream but a legal nightmare. 😬
Why Xerox Wants You to Stop Saying “Xerox”
Here’s where things get interesting. In the 1970s and 1980s, Xerox started losing its identity because people were using “Xerox” instead of “photocopy” for all brands of machines. This phenomenon, known as genericide, has happened to other brands like:
- Thermos (instead of vacuum flask)
- Velcro (instead of hook-and-loop fastener)
- Aspirin (which was once a brand name but lost trademark protection!)
To protect its brand identity, Xerox took legal action to remind people that “Xerox” is a company, not a process. Their campaigns included slogans like
“When you mean to copy, say ‘photocopy,’ not Xerox!” and
“If you use Xerox the wrong way, you might lose Xerox!”
But let’s be real—no one stopped calling it Xerox. 🤷♂️
Xerox Today: Beyond Photocopying
While Xerox is still a leader in printing technology, they have evolved far beyond just photocopiers. Today, the company is working on:
✅ Augmented Reality (AR) tech like CareAR, helping businesses with virtual troubleshooting.
✅ AI-powered document services that automate workflows.
✅ Sustainable printing solutions that focus on eco-friendly materials.
Even with all these advancements, the word “Xerox” remains stuck in our vocabulary as a synonym for photocopying.
So, the next time you ask for a “Xerox,” remember—you’re referring to a company, not an action!
Will you make the switch and start saying “photocopy” instead? Or is “Xerox” too deeply ingrained in our daily language to change? Let us know!
