The History behind Diagraph and the stencil machine
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A History of Reliability Through Innovation

Making It Easy for Manufacturers to Make the Perfect Mark Since 1893

Diagraph’s innovative history began in November of 1893 with the conception of the Bradley Stencil Machine, invented by Andrew Jackson Bradley to expedite the laborious process of hand addressing cargo along the Mississippi River. The machine improved upon the previously inconsistent process of hand marking and expensive brass stencils, re-shaping the way shippers conducted their business. Bradley’s invention emphasized ease-of-use and opened the doors for the marking industry by making it simple to include a variety of shipment and product information on the outside of the shipping containers.

As customer needs evolved, Diagraph responded by being the first manufacturer to offer an expanded product line of machines, ink, brushes and paper. As the industry progressed, Diagraph continued to innovate by offering increasingly automated coding products – furthering the value and ease-of-use promised to the customer. Just as Bradley had revolutionized the industry, Diagraph continued to carry that legacy with the introduction of the first roll coder, the first high resolution piezoelectric print engine, and the first all-electric automated labeling system – just to name a few!

Our timeline of achievements clearly depicts the milestones in innovation that have continued to define our company and the way industry continues to move goods to market:

1893
stencil machine, diagraph history, stencil cutter machine

The Bradley Stencil Machine

The Bradley Stencil Machine — the first stencil cutting machine — was invented and the Bradley Stencil Machine Company was established

1902

THE DIAGRAPH IS BORN

Bradley Stencil Machine Company engineer Stephen Hartog makes an improvement on the original machine resulting in the circular stencil cutting machine — the Diagraph. Hartog leaves and forms Diagraph Stencil Machine Company with local businessman, Theodore Remmers

stencil machine, diagraph history, stencil cutter machine

1904
stencil machine, diagraph history, stencil cutter machine

GOLD MEDAL AWARD RECEIVED

The Bradley Stencil Machine received the Gold Medal Award at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition (St. Louis World’s Fair) for its revolutionary impact on product marking

1913
stencil machine, diagraph history, stencil cutter machine

STENCIL INK DEVELOPMENT

Theodore Remmers’ son-in-law, James W. Brigham, joins the company and develops a stencil ink that spurred the company into product expansion

1915
stencil machine, diagraph history, stencil cutter machine

AN EXPANDED PRODUCT LINE

Diagraph was the first stencil machine manufacturer to sell an expanded product line: machines, ink, paper, and brushes

1937

DIAGRAPH-BRADLEY MERGES

Diagraph acquires the Bradley Stencil Machine Company and creates Diagraph-Bradley

1944
stencil machine, diagraph history, stencil cutter machine

INTERNATIONAL MARKETS

Diagraph-Bradley establishes distributorships in international markets, focusing first on Central and South America then growing into Asia and Europe

1969

DICODER IS BORN

World’s first roll coder — the DiCoder

stencil machine, diagraph history, stencil cutter machine

1986

FIRST INTEGRATED VALVE JET

World’s first integrated valve jet technology

1990

TRIDENT TECHNOLOGY

World’s first high resolution piezoelectric print engine – Trident technology

1996
stencil machine, diagraph history, stencil cutter machine

FIRST INK DELIVERY SYSTEM

World’s first centralized ink delivery system design for high resolution inkjet

1997

FIRST MULTI-LANE THERMAL TRANSFER PRINTER

World’s first multi-lane thermal transfer overprinter

2001
stencil machine, diagraph history, stencil cutter machine

DIAGRAPH JOINS ITW

Diagraph joins the ITW family of companies

2002

AUTOMATED CLEANING SYSTEM

World’s first automated cleaning system for high resolution inkjet technology

2004

MULTI-LANE THERMAL TRANSFER OVERPRINTER

World’s largest format thermal transfer overprinter — Allen Technology

2008
stencil machine, diagraph history, stencil cutter machine

INDUSTRIAL THERMAL INKJET

World’s first industrial-grade thermal inkjet technology

stencil machine, diagraph history, stencil cutter machine

AUTOMATED LABELING SYSTEM

World’s first all-electric automated labeling system platform

2015
stencil machine, diagraph history, stencil cutter machine

FASTEST PIEZOELECTRIC PRINTHEAD

World’s fastest piezoelectric printhead