I entered the copier business in 1981, so I don't have much knowledge about most copiers prior to 1977.
I started out as a tech and was quickly offered a sales job when the owner of the dealership realized that I had some issues with putting copiers back together.
For the next ten weeks, I'll list all ten systems.
Minolta EP 300 (yes, I know the picture in the header is a Minolta 310, but I can't find a picture of the EP 300).
Thinking back, the first copier that stole my heart was the Minolta EP 300. It was the first copier launched when I started my copier sales career. Customers would ask me what EP stood for, and I'd give them a funny answer: "Eny Paper." The EP actually stood for Electrostatic Process.
The EP 300 in the early eighties was "state-of-the-art technology." It's funny that now, when we refer to copiers, I can't remember the last time I pitched one as having "state-of-the-art technology." In the eighties, Minolta was known as a fantastic brand for cameras, and we used that in our pitch since the Minolta EP 300 had the best lens in the business. Back then, the paper you put on the glass was illuminated with a light, bounced off two mirrors, and the image was then captured by the lens. Having the best lens in the business meant that you were going to have the best image quality. Back then, it was all about image quality!
I believe the copier retailed for about $2,500, had only one paper tray which stuck out on one side of the unit. The top (platen glass) moved back and forth for each copy, and the speed was a blazing 10 pages per minute (I think). When you had to add toner, you would pour it into the toner hopper, and when you had to add paper, you would have to take the paper tray out of the copier!
There was another consumable required: fuser oil! How many of us remember that? We found many other uses for fuser oil. It was great for cleaning covers and the power cord, awesome for getting a shine on black rubber (tires on the car), and if you used just a tiny bit, it would give your black shoes an unbelievable shine!
Other than making up 99 copies at a time, the Minolta 300 was much like its successor, the Minolta EP 310. I think I remember the Minolta EP 300 best because it was the system that paved the way for all the other copiers I sold!
BTW, if anyone has an old Minolta EP 300, please scan one and email it to me!
-=Good Selling=-
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