David Gestetner Blue Plaque

About This Blue Plaque

David Gestetner was a Hungarian inventor and entrepreneur who revolutionized office copying in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Born in 1854 in Csorna, Hungary, Gestetner moved to London in the 1880s to establish his business. His most notable invention was the Gestetner Cyclostyle, a stencil duplicating machine that allowed users to create multiple copies of documents quickly and easily.

The Cyclostyle, patented in 1881, worked by forcing ink through holes on a thin sheet of waxed paper, which acted as a stencil. This innovative design greatly improved upon earlier copying methods and laid the foundation for modern duplicating machines. Gestetner’s invention found wide success, particularly in offices, schools, and churches where multiple copies of documents were frequently needed.

Gestetner lived at 124 Highbury New Park in Islington, London, from 1898 until his death in 1939. During this time, he continued to develop and refine his copying machines, establishing a thriving global business. The Gestetner company became a leading manufacturer of office equipment and remained a major player in the industry for much of the 20th century. Today, David Gestetner is remembered as a pioneering inventor whose work greatly impacted office productivity and communication. This blue plaque, erected in 2011, commemorates his life and contributions at his long-time Islington residence.