History of Printers: Timeline of All Printers Launched with Specs and Details

The history of printers stretches back more than five centuries. While Johannes Gutenberg’s movable-type press of 1440 is widely considered the origin of mechanical printing, the modern printer as we know it today began taking shape in the mid-20th century. If you have ever wondered when printers were invented or how they evolved from bulky, noisy machines into the sleek wireless devices on desks today, this complete timeline has all the answers.

From dot matrix and inkjet to laser and 3D printing, the printer evolution tells a fascinating story of engineering ambition and everyday practicality. Whether you are a tech enthusiast, a student, or a business professional, understanding the printer timeline gives you useful context for choosing the right device today.

What Year Was the Printer Invented? A Brief Early History

Mechanical printing began in 1440 with Gutenberg’s press, but the first printer designed for computers arrived in 1953 when Remington Rand introduced the IBM 716 line printer for the UNIVAC I. It could print 600 lines per minute, a staggering speed for its era. The term “first printer” in the modern sense typically refers to this generation of computer-connected devices.

These early machines used impact printing, physically striking an inked ribbon against paper. They were large, loud, and built for enterprise use only. Consumer-grade printing was still decades away.

Printer Timeline: Every Major Model and Its Specs

Below is a complete printer timeline covering every major category and launch, with specs and technical details:

Evolution of Printers: From Dot Matrix to Smart Devices

1. Dot Matrix Printers (1968-1990s)

The Epson EP-101, launched in 1968, was the world’s first commercially sold mini-printer. Dot matrix printers used a print head that struck an inked ribbon to form characters. They were durable, inexpensive to run, and capable of printing multi-part forms, which made them popular in retail and banking environments for decades.

2. Laser Printers (1976-Present)

The IBM 3800, introduced in 1976, was the first laser printer used commercially. However, the device that truly brought laser printing into the mainstream was the HP LaserJet (1984), which offered 300 dpi resolution at 8 pages per minute.

3. Inkjet Printers and the First Inkjet Printer (1976-Present)

The first inkjet printer technology was developed by Siemens in 1976 (Siemens PT-80), though it was HP and Canon that commercialized it. The HP ThinkJet (1984) was one of the earliest HP inkjet models, while the HP DeskJet 500C (1988) introduced affordable color inkjet printing to consumers at 300 dpi. Inkjet technology works by propelling tiny droplets of ink directly onto paper, allowing high-quality photo and color output.

4. Photo and All-in-One Inkjet Printers (1990s-2000s)

By the late 1990s, photo-quality inkjet printers arrived. The HP Photosmart series (1999) delivered 1200 dpi output and became a household name. All-in-one (AIO) printers combined printing, scanning, copying, and faxing into one unit, with models like the HP OfficeJet Pro 8000 (2010) offering wireless connectivity and duplex printing at 35 ppm.

5. 3D Printers (1992-Present)

The evolution of the printer took a dramatic leap with 3D printing. Stratasys introduced Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) technology in 1992. By 2003, Z Corporation launched the first full-color 3D printer. Today, 3D printers are used in healthcare, aerospace, automotive, and consumer manufacturing. Just as wireless protocols transformed networking, 3D printing has fundamentally changed how products are prototyped and produced.

6. EcoTank and Supertank Printers (2013-Present)

The Epson EcoTank ET-4500 (2013) introduced a refillable ink tank system that dramatically cut per-page costs compared to traditional cartridges. These supertank printers produce thousands of pages from a single fill and have since become a go-to for home offices and small businesses. Canon’s MegaTank series followed with a similar value proposition.

HP Printer Models by Year: A Brand Spotlight

HP has been the dominant printer brand since the 1980s. Here is a brief look at key HP printer models by year:

• 1984: HP LaserJet 300 dpi, 8 ppm, the first desktop laser printer
• 1988: HP DeskJet 500C, first affordable color inkjet, 300 dpi
• 1999: HP Photosmart 1000, 1200 dpi, borderless photo printing
• 2010: HP OfficeJet Pro 8000, wireless, 35 ppm, duplex
• 2017: HP PageWide Pro 477dw, up to 55 ppm, ultra-fast business printing
• 2020: HP LaserJet Pro MFP M428fdw, 38 ppm, ADF, cloud-ready
• 2023: HP OfficeJet Pro 9135e, AI-powered smart security, auto-duplex, wireless

Much like how Apple refined the iPhone over successive generations, HP has continuously improved its printer line through incremental yet meaningful upgrades in speed, resolution, and connectivity.

When Was the Modern Printer Invented?

The modern printer in the consumer sense emerged in 1984 with the HP LaserJet. Before that, printing was largely an enterprise function. The introduction of the personal computer created demand for desktop printers that were small, affordable, and easy to use. The development of PostScript page description language by Adobe in 1984 also enabled desktop publishing, which massively accelerated printer adoption.

By the mid-1990s, inkjet printers became the standard home device. By the 2010s, wireless and mobile printing became the norm, with printers connecting to smartphones, tablets, and cloud services.

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Conclusion

The history of the printer is a story of continuous reinvention. From Gutenberg’s press to IBM’s first line printers, from the first inkjet printer to modern wireless laser MFPs and 3D printers, each generation of printing technology has responded to changing human needs.

Understanding printer evolution helps you make smarter decisions, whether you are buying a home printer, sourcing devices for a business, or renting equipment for an event. The right printer for the job has never been easier to find, and with rental options available through providers like Hire Tablets USA, access is more flexible than ever.

FAQs

When was the first printer launched?

The first computer printer was launched in 1953 by Remington Rand, designed for use with the UNIVAC I computer.

What was the first generation of printers?

The first generation of printers were line printers and dot matrix printers, which used impact-based technology to transfer ink onto paper.

Who is the founder of printers?

Johannes Gutenberg is credited as the founder of mechanical printing, having invented the movable-type printing press around 1440.

Who invented the first ink printer?

Siemens developed the first inkjet printer technology in 1976 with the PT-80 model. HP later commercialized it for everyday consumer use in the 1980s.

Who made the first digital printer?

Xerox engineer Gary Starkweather invented the first digital laser printer in 1969 while working at Xerox PARC. It later became the foundation for the Xerox 9700, launched in 1977 as the first commercial digital printer.