Abstract
History of ink jet technology is recollected by summarizing researches leading invention of ink jet, research and development activities on ink jet and past products. Prospects on performance advances and application possibilities of ink jet are also described based on recent technology trends. Expected functions or performances when ink jet was born in the middle part of the 20-century seem to be mostly satisfied now. Low cost and small size color ink jet printer has become the exclusive province of personal market.
Many efforts on ink jet, which improve performances, have been attempted and new function as marking technology has been exploited at the present day. Ink jet application to fabrication process (Digital Fabrication), which never imagined at the invention of ink jet, has been also developed. These novel activities will face tough problems and need revolutionary approaches. A great innovation by ink jet will be expected when success is achieved.
