William Bullock

American printer

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June 22, 2026

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William Bullock was an American inventor and printer who made significant contributions to the development of printing technology. He is credited with inventing the first roll-fed rotary printing press in 1865. This press was a major advancement because it could print 12,000 complete newspapers per hour and included a device for cutting the paper after printing. Bullock also developed early automatic folding devices for rotary presses. His innovations were crucial in advancing the speed and efficiency of newspaper production.1

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Koenig’s mechanical press (early 19th century)
…rotary press was made by William Bullock of the United States in 1865. It included a device for cutting the paper after printing and produced 12,000 complete newspapers per hour. Automatic folding devices, the first of which were designed by Bullock and Hoe, were incorporated into rotaries after 1870.
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…rotary press was made by William Bullock of the United States in 1865. It included a device for cutting the paper after printing and produced 12,000 complete newspapers per hour. Automatic folding devices, the first of which were designed by Bullock and Hoe, were incorporated into rotaries after 1870.
Read More