# line printer

> impact printer that prints one entire line of text at a time

**Wikidata**: [Q1320033](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1320033)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Line_printer)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/line-printer

## Summary  
A line printer is an impact printer that prints one entire line of text at a time using a ribbon to transfer ink onto paper. It was widely used in early computing systems for high-volume output due to its speed and reliability. Line printers were essential peripherals in business and scientific computing environments through the mid-20th century.

## Key Facts  
- A line printer is a subclass of impact printer and printer.  
- It prints one complete line of text simultaneously, rather than character-by-character.  
- The IBM 1403, introduced in 1959, was a notable high-speed line printer used into the 1970s.  
- Models like the IBM 1132 and IBM 2245 are examples of line printers designed for specific systems or markets.  
- Also known as *Impresora de líneas* (Spanish), *Banddrucker* (German), and 列式打印机 (Chinese).  
- Has a dedicated category on Wikimedia Commons and articles in multiple languages including English, German, Japanese, and Korean.  
- Defined in WordNet synset 03678153-n and Art & Architecture Thesaurus ID 300024538.  

## FAQs  
### Q: What is a line printer used for?  
A: A line printer is used to print text one full line at a time, typically in high-volume applications such as reports, logs, and data output in computing environments.  

### Q: How does a line printer work?  
A: It works by using an impact mechanism—often involving a ribbon—to press characters or fonts against paper across an entire line simultaneously.  

### Q: When was the line printer invented?  
A: While no exact invention date is given, key models like the IBM 1403 were introduced in 1959, marking widespread adoption during that era.  

## Why It Matters  
Line printers played a critical role in early digital computing by enabling fast, reliable hardcopy output from mainframes and minicomputers. They solved the need for efficient batch printing in enterprise settings before more advanced technologies became viable. Their durability and ability to produce continuous printed output made them indispensable tools in administrative, financial, and research sectors throughout the 1960s and beyond. Though largely obsolete today, they laid foundational infrastructure concepts still relevant in modern industrial printing solutions.

## Notable For  
- Printing full lines of text simultaneously instead of individual characters.  
- Being integral components of major computing platforms like the IBM 1130 and IBM System/360 series.  
- Achieving high speeds compared to other contemporary printers like daisy wheel or dot matrix types.  
- Supporting specialized regional variants such as the IBM 2245 for East Asian character sets.  
- Longevity in commercial use well into the 1970s and early 1980s despite technological advancements.

## Body  
### Definition and Classification  
A line printer is classified under both "impact printer" and broader "printer" categories. As an impact device, it uses physical contact between a ribbon and type elements to imprint characters onto paper. Unlike serial printers which form each character individually, line printers generate all characters in a horizontal row at once.

### Historical Usage and Models  
The technology gained prominence with machines such as:
- **IBM 1403** – Introduced in 1959, this model was renowned for its speed and became standard equipment on many IBM computers through the late 1960s and early 1970s.
- **IBM 1132** – Integrated within the IBM 1130 system, serving smaller-scale computational tasks requiring printed outputs.
- **IBM 2245** – Designed specifically for the East Asian market, accommodating complex ideographic scripts.

These devices supported large-format continuous-feed paper and were often paired with punch card readers or magnetic tape units for automated workflows.

### Technical Characteristics  
Key features included:
- Simultaneous line-wide embossing via hammers or rotating typebars.
- Use of carbon-impregnated ribbons for transferring ink.
- Capability to handle multi-part forms without degradation in quality.
- Robust mechanical design suited for non-stop operation in office environments.

Despite their mechanical nature, these printers offered substantial throughput rates when compared to slower alternatives like typewriters or early dot-matrix units.

### Legacy and Cultural Impact  
Though overtaken by laser and inkjet technologies, line printers left a lasting legacy in terminology ("print spooling") and influenced later developments in industrial labeling and transactional printing. Many institutions continued relying on them even after newer options emerged due to cost efficiency and compatibility with existing software ecosystems.

## Schema Markup  
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## References

1. [Source](https://it-ord.idg.se/ord/radskrivare/)
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. Quora