Dot Matrix Printer

A dot matrix printer, also called an impact matrix printer, is a computer printer that applies ink to a page using a relatively low resolution grid, or matrix, of dots, produced by a print head that moves back and forth or up and down across the page and strikes an ink soaked ribbon against the paper. Each dot is made by a tiny metal pin, driven forward by a small electromagnet or solenoid, and the print head position is controlled by a band attached to sprockets on wheels at each side, driven by an electric motor. Rudolf Hell invented an early version called the Hellschreiber in 1925, but the commercial dot matrix printer era began in 1968 when the Japanese manufacturer OKI introduced its first serial impact dot matrix printer, followed in 1970 by the Digital Equipment Corporation LA30 and the Centronics 101, which together began the technology wide adoption in computing. This description is adapted from Wikipedia contributors under CC BY-SA 4.0; changes were made. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/