On September 14, 1886, G,K, Anderson received U.S. Patent No. 349,026 on an Inking Ribbon For Type Writing Machines:

The typewritter ribbon, once ubiquitous in office environs, was long ago replaced by toner cartridges. However, before the age of popup windows and blinking lights, typists needed a warning that they were coming to the end of their ribbon. George Anderson provided that warning by coloring the ends of the ribbons differently, so the typist would notice the change in color and change the direction of the ribbon or replace it.