Blue Plaque to David Gestetner – copier pioneer

Published: 18th March, 2011
by TERRY MESSENGER

A BLUE plaque commemorating David Gestetner, who pioneered office copying equipment, was unveiled this week at his former home in Highbury.

English Heritage historian Howard Spencer did the honours at 124 Highbury New Park on Tuesday, helped by two of Mr Gestetner’s great-great grandchildren.

Mr Gestetner, a Jewish emigre from Hungary, chose London as the best place to sell his inventions when he moved here in 1879.

In 1881, he developed a stencil duplicator which revolutionised clerical work.

He lived at Highbury New Park with his wife and seven children, remaining there for 41 years until his death in 1939. Before that he lived in nearby Ferntower Road. 

Mr Gestetner founded a factory in Cross Street, Islington, employing 100 people making his machines.

Mr Spencer said: “David Gestetner is an outstanding example of a London immigrant success story, having built up an internationally successful business from nothing more than a sharp idea.”