How many of you remember dot matrix printers and the continuous flow paper? I remember that my printer very loud and when I had long documents to print, it went on forever. However, in the end, I had the entire document, with each page connected to the next, and usually perfectly folded. For text files, I preferred dot matrix over ink-jet or laser-jet printers.
A guy at work gave me three printers, and I guess they were word processors. I loved the roll of paper, and kept them, til they went the way of all flesh! I really liked them.
I was just talking with my son about this. He works a large building supply company, and they continue to use dot matrix printers, because multiple copies of invoices are needed for loading trucks, etc. You could uses a laser printer and print multiple sheets, but the dot matrix with NCR tractor feed paper is much simpler for their purposes.
I remember when they used IBM 2741 printers, with the print balls, before dot matrix. It was like an IBM Selectric typewriter modified to use at remote stations away from an IBM 360 mainframe. Still have a box of unused continuous paper in the attic somewhere.
The continuous paper fed by pins which meshed with the holes along the edges was colloquially known as "tractor-paper". Frank
Dot Matrix Mona Lisa I have a large copy, printed on large printer at work, from 1967. It is in a picture frame, behind a painting.
Oh yeah! I forgot about all the dot matrix artwork, and banners, that the computer guys used to do. It was a big rage at one time. That was before it was so easy to zoom out.