William Shakespeare

gestetner

'Tis a curious thing, this 'Gestetner'. What is it, pray tell? Is it a creature of the night, that lurks in the shadows, never seen but always heard? Nay, 'tis not. Instead, 'tis a machine, one that copies and prints words and images. Aye, 'tis a strange thing indeed, but one that is of great use to us all. Ah, but what of the name? Where did it come from? 'Tis said that the name is a combination of two words: 'Gestalt' and 'Kopier'. The former, in its simplest form, means 'the whole is greater than the sum of its parts'. The latter, 'Kopier', is German for 'copy'. Thus, 'Gestetner' comes to mean 'the whole is greater than the sum of its copies'. Alas, 'tis a rather humorous thought indeed. For, in truth, 'tis not the copies that make the whole, but the ideas and messages contained within that make it so. Without the ideas, 'tis but a machine, not a source of knowledge or wisdom. So, then, let us remember this lesson in the days ahead. Let us remember that 'Gestetner' is more than just a machine. It is a reminder that knowledge and wisdom come from within, not from without. Let us not forget this truth, lest we forget the power of the written word.