Chester F. Carlson was the inventor of the Xerographic process. He obtained the first patent for his electrostatic dry copying process in 1940. The Haloid Company in Rochester (later known as Xerox) acquired the rights to the process in 1947 and introduced the first commercial office copier in 1959.

Mr. Carlson actively supported RIT, visiting the campus on many occasions. He was a member of RIT's Nathaniel Rochester Society. He left a large bequest to RIT and his widow continued to support the Institute.