Hectograph

By H. C. "Mac" McMullin,
Teacher, Principal. Superintendent,
Picher-Cardin School System
District 15
 

The instructions for creating Hectograph copies are as follows:

1.  Obtain a shallow wood or metal pan a little larger than the sheet of paper you plan to use.  (A cookie pan is best.)  It should have sides about a half inch tall.

2.  Obtain a can of Hectograph gelatin from a school supplier.  Place the can in a pan of hot water to turn the gelatin into a liquid.

3.  After leveling the pan as best you can, pour the gel into the pan.  Allow to cool to harden.

4.  Use a Hectograph pencil or Hectograph ribbon in a typewriter to write on a regular sheet of paper.  Be sure to bear down to make a bold print.

5.  Moisten the gel and press the master sheet on the gel being careful to have no wrinkles.  Make sure to press firmly in order to transfer the original to the gel, then remove the master copy.

6.  Apply a blank sheet of paper to the gel, making sure it has full contact with no air bubbles.  Remove that sheet and whatever was on the master will be printed on it.

About 50 good copies can be made.  When the copies become faint, you have to start over.  Clean the gel with a moist cloth or sponge.  The gel can be used until it gets too much purple in it.  Then throw it out and start from step one.

Each job had to be made one copy at a time by hand.  It was a slow process, but it was better than having to write out each page.

Hectograph Uses:

1.  Duplicate Homework sheets
2. Copy test sheets
3.  Copy art work
4. Send letters and progress reports to parents.
5.  Make bulletins

The gel could be used many times and was easy and simple to replace.  The Hectograph was a great help to teachers.