Business Adventures: Twelve Classic Tales from the World of Wall Street. Chapter 5. Xerox Xerox Xerox Xerox

这章讲述了施乐公司的故事，从它在纽约州罗切斯特默默无闻的摄影纸公司哈洛伊德（Haloid），被伊士曼柯达公司所掩盖，到20世纪60年代在静电复印技术的推动下取得爆炸性成功的历程。它详细描述了将切斯特·卡尔森革命性的复印技术推向市场的过程中所经历的挣扎和胜利，突出了推动公司前进的关键人物。 叙述从A.B.迪克公司早期的油印机开始，阐释了最初对办公复印的抵制以及在实际需求的推动下逐渐被接受的过程。然后，它转向哈洛伊德在二战后对新产品的寻求，从而投资于卡尔森的静电摄影技术，该技术涉及静电荷、粉末显影和热定影。该章节强调了卡尔森最初在寻找对其发明的兴趣时的困难，展示了老牌公司不愿意接受这种激进概念的犹豫。 故事突出了小约瑟夫·C·威尔逊的关键作用，他在哈洛伊德内部大力支持卡尔森的工艺，以及索尔·林诺维茨，这位才华横溢的年轻律师，后来成为威尔逊的得力助手。 他们的承诺，加上巴特尔纪念研究所和哈洛伊德研究团队的技术专长，最终克服了重大技术障碍，特别是发现了硒的独特性能，可用于创建光导表面。静电复印技术的发明是科学智慧、美国式的修修补补和一点运气的结合，创造了“干法复印”工艺。 开发过程在财务上具有风险，哈洛伊德投入了大量资金，甚至发行股票以维持运营。 但在1960年，第一台自动静电复印办公设备施乐914的推出，彻底改变了商业世界。 销量猛增，将施乐从一家相对默默无闻的公司变成华尔街的宠儿，在这个过程中创造了一大批百万富翁。 914有其独特的怪癖和倾向，这导致了女性与她们的机器之间建立了密切的联系。 该章节还深入探讨了广泛复印的社会影响。 它指出了新兴的“静电复印狂热”、过度复印的诱惑以及版权侵犯的潜在可能性。 作者探讨了作者和出版商对原创作品贬值以及未经许可即可轻松复制已出版材料的担忧，并引用了马歇尔·麦克卢汉对印刷术世界将发生“彻底革命”的预测。 尽管存在潜在的负面影响，该章节仍将施乐公司视为一家具有强烈社会责任感的公司，与许多19世纪公司以利润为导向的理念形成对比。 它强调了施乐的慈善事业、对联合国提供的支持以及在招聘实践中对多样性的承诺，即使面临潜在的强烈反对。 该章节描述了复印机市场日益激烈的竞争以及施乐在保持其主导地位方面面临的挑战。 故事以作者访问罗切斯特结束，他在那里遇到了高管、科学家和工程师，收集他们对公司成功及其未来的看法。作者还向罗切斯特大学和当地商人征求了社区反馈，以了解他们对施乐成功和未来的看法。 通过这些访谈，作者描绘了一家公司正在努力应对快速增长、保持其核心价值观以及应对其开创性技术所带来的复杂社会和伦理影响。

This chapter narrates the story of Xerox, from its humble beginnings as Haloid, a photographic paper company overshadowed by Eastman Kodak in Rochester, New York, to its explosive success in the 1960s fueled by the invention of xerography. It details the struggles and triumphs involved in bringing Chester Carlson's revolutionary copying process to the market, highlighting the key figures who propelled the company forward. The narrative begins with the A.B. Dick Company's early mimeograph machine, illustrating the initial resistance to office duplication and the gradual acceptance driven by practical necessity. It then pivots to Haloid's quest for new products after World War II, leading to their investment in Carlson's electrophotography, a process involving electrostatic charges, powder development, and heat fixing. The chapter emphasizes Carlson's initial difficulty in finding interest in his invention, showcasing the reluctance of established companies to embrace such a radical concept. The story highlights the crucial roles of Joseph C. Wilson, the younger, who championed the Carlson process within Haloid, and Saul Linowitz, the bright young lawyer who became Wilson's right-hand man. Their commitment, coupled with the technical expertise at the Battelle Memorial Institute and Haloid's research teams, eventually overcame significant technical hurdles, notably the discovery of selenium's unique properties for creating the photoconductive surface. The invention of xerography was a combination of scientific ingenuity, Yankee tinkering, and a healthy dose of luck, creating the dry-riding process. The development process was financially risky, with Haloid investing heavily and even issuing stock to stay afloat. But in 1960, the introduction of the Xerox 914, the first automatic zerographic office copier, revolutionized the business world. Sales skyrocketed, transforming Xerox from a relatively unknown company into a Wall Street darling, creating a legion of millionaires in the process. The 914 had unique quirks and tendencies, and this led to a close relationship between women and their machines. The chapter also delves into the social implications of widespread copying. It notes the emerging "xerography mania," the temptation to over-copy, and the potential for copyright infringement. The author explores the concerns of authors and publishers about the devaluation of original works and the ease with which published materials could be reproduced without permission, citing Marshall McLuhan's prediction of a "total revolution" in the world of typography. Despite the potential downsides, the chapter presents Xerox as a company with a strong sense of social responsibility, contrasting it with the profit-driven ethos of many 19th-century corporations. It highlights Xerox's philanthropic efforts, its support for the United Nations, and its commitment to diversity in hiring practices, even in the face of potential backlash. The chapter describes the growing competition in the copier market and the challenges Xerox faced in maintaining its dominance. The story ends with the author's visit to Rochester, where he encounters executives, scientists, and engineers, gathering their perspectives on the company's success and its future. The author also sought community feedback with the University of Rochester and local businessmen in Rochester to get their opinions on the success and future of Xerox. Through these interviews, the author paints a picture of a company grappling with rapid growth, maintaining its core values, and navigating the complex social and ethical implications of its groundbreaking technology.