If you sit upon the Transfer Tablet, it will copyeth your ass.

“Multiplicity, Rapidity and Cheapness Combined” boasts this 1876 print advertisement for a hectograph product from the fine folks in Ohio at Holcomb & Co. The ad promises that up to 100 copies can be made in a mere 15 minutes. An excerpt from the ad:

“A new and remarkable invention for producing fac-simile copies of Reports, Circulars, Price Lists, Announcements, Maps, Programs, etc. No press, stencils, ink rollers or prepared paper required. The Process is neat and simple–anyone can do it. Simply write or draw on any paper with our Transfer Ink the matter to be reproduced. Press this sheet, when dry, upon the Prepared Tablets and  the matter is instantly transferred to the latter.”

There is a lot more information about early copying techniques at the Office Museum.