Early photocopier. The photocopier is a machine used to quickly and cheaply copy documents using electrostatic charge to cause powder (toner) to stick to paper. The machine was invented by Chester Carlson (1906-1968), an American physicist and inventor. He produced his first copies in 1938, but over the next six years 20 companies turned down his patents. In 1944 he finally found commerical backing and the first Xerox photocopying machine was brought out in 1959. Carlson went on to enjoy phenomenal financial success.