PDF Emerges From PostScript

To help you, IPG is presenting a two-part article on PDF, detailing its history and application in both the ink-based and digital/toner environments.

Since PDF is a variation of PostScript, it's helpful to take a look back at the origins of this Adobe page description language.

In the beginning, the only way to get hard copy output from a computer was to print using a dot matrix or impact printer. The printer was basically an automated typewriter. These devices were expensive, slow and very limited in their ability.