Timeline of United States inventions (1890–1945) of these fibers for textile applications is more recent. The first commercial production of fiberglass was in 1936. In 1938, fiberglass was invented by Russell Games Slayter of Owens-Corning. 1938 Xerography Xerography, which means "dry writing" in Greek, is a process of making copies. Xerography makes copies without using ink. In this process, static electricity charges a lighted plate; a plastic powder is applied to the areas of the page to remain white. The photocopier was invented in 1938 by Chester Floyd Carlson who marketed his revolutionary device to about 20 companies before he could interest any. The Haloid Company,
How the Scots Invented the Modern World just accept this extraordinary compliment graciously." It was likely influenced by Thomas Cahill's "How the Irish Saved Civilization" and the result of a marketing strategy. Several reviewers found that Herman was successful in proving that Scots did have a disproportionate impact on modernity. Herman continued this type of theme with his next book, "To Rule the Waves: How the British Navy Shaped the Modern World", published in 2004. Critics found the book well-written and scholarly but with an over-reaching thesis. The reviewer for the "National Review" defended Herman's use of the word "invented", writing that it has "an older meaning: