Hi there! I'm a retired teacher with over 30 years of experience, primarily in elementary education. I've seen a lot of educational tools and techniques come and go, and I'm happy to share my knowledge about one such tool – the ditto sheet.

Let's talk about ditto sheets! You're likely more familiar with the term "worksheet" these days, but back in my early teaching days, the "ditto" was king.

What is a Ditto Sheet?

A ditto sheet was a type of worksheet that teachers created and copied using a specific machine called a spirit duplicator. This machine, often referred to by the brand name Ditto (hence the name "ditto sheet"), used a fascinating, albeit messy, process to make copies.

The Magic of Spirit Duplication


1. The Master: Teachers would create an original document, called a master, using regular paper but with special spirit masters. These masters were coated with a layer of wax on one side, and anything written or drawn on that waxy surface would transfer to the copies.


2. The Spirit: We used special colored pens and pencils, called ditto masters, to create the master copy. These writing tools didn't contain regular ink. Instead, they were filled with a solvent that slightly dissolved the wax coating on the master, exposing a layer of colored dye underneath.


3. The Duplicator: The master was then attached to the drum of the spirit duplicator. This machine had a reservoir of a volatile alcohol-based fluid, often smelling strongly of methanol. As the drum rotated, it pressed the master against a fresh sheet of paper, and the solvent on the back of the master moistened the paper, transferring a small amount of the dye to create the copy.

The Look of a Ditto

Ditto sheets had a distinctive look:

* Color: They were usually printed in a single color, most commonly purple, but sometimes in red, green, or blue. The color was determined by the dye used in the master.
* Smell: Freshly printed dittos had a strong, characteristic chemical odor due to the solvent used in the duplication process.
* Quality: The copies were not as sharp or clear as photocopies. The text and images often appeared slightly faded and could even smudge if the paper wasn't fully dry.

Why Dittos Were Used

Before the widespread availability of photocopiers, ditto machines were a cost-effective and relatively simple way for teachers to:

* Make multiple copies: A single master could produce hundreds of copies.
* Create customized materials: Teachers could design their own worksheets, tests, and activity sheets tailored to their students' needs.
* Engage students with color: The use of colored ink, while limited, added a touch of visual interest to the often-monochrome world of classroom materials.

The Decline of the Ditto

By the 1980s, the reign of the ditto machine began to fade as photocopiers became more affordable and accessible. Photocopiers offered higher quality copies, a wider range of colors, and a less messy process.

Nostalgia for the Ditto

While ditto sheets are largely a relic of the past, they hold a certain nostalgic charm for those of us who remember them. They represent a time when teachers had to be resourceful and creative with limited resources. And, let's be honest, that distinctive purple ink and unique smell hold a special place in our memories!
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A spirit duplicator (also referred to as a Ditto machine in North America, Banda machine in the UK or Roneo in France and Australia) was a printing method invented in 1923 by Wilhelm Ritzerfeld and commonly used for much of the rest of the 20th century. ... The device coexisted alongside the mimeograph.read more >>