Gestetner

The Gestetner, named after its inventor David Gestetner, is a type of duplicating machine, its brand name and the associated company. Throughout the 20th century, "Gestetnering" became somewhat of a verb.

David Gestetner, born in Csorna, Hungary, moved to London, England, and in 1879 filed his first copying patent. A later patent in 1881 was for the Cyclostyle, a stylus that was part of the Cyclograph copying device. He also established the Gestetner Cyclograph Company to produce duplicating machines, stencils, styli, ink rollers and related products the same year. The Gestetner works opened in 1906 at Tottenham Hale, north London, and employed several thousand people until the 1990's and operated in 153 different countries. Gestetner's inventions became an overnight success, and an international chain of branch offices that sold and serviced Gestetner products was established.

The Gestetner Company expanded quickly during the early and mid-20th century. Management was passed to David Gestetner's son, Sigmund Gestetner, and from him to his sons, David and Jonathan. Gestetner acquired other companies during the years: Nashua (later changed to Nashuatec), Rex Rotary, Hanimex and . Eventually a holding company was set up called NRG (N = Nashuatec, R = Rex Rotary, G = Gestetner).

In 1996 the international Gestetner Company was acquired by the Ricoh company of Japan. The company was renamed NRG Group PLC, and markets and services Ricoh products under its three main brand names, primarily in Europe, South Africa and the Middle East, but also through dealers throughout the world.

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