TWAIN

Updated: 11/16/2019 by Computer Hope
Flatbed computer scanner.

TWAIN is a standard interface for scanning equipment. It was developed in 1992 by the TWAIN consortium consisting of representatives from Aldus, Caere, Eastman, Kodak, Hewlett Packard and Logitech. The TWAIN standard enables multiple computer programs. Today, most computer scanners include a TWAIN, TWAIN32 or compliant driver that enables the scanner to work with most computer programs automatically after they are installed.

Tip

Sometimes TWAIN is incorrectly called technology without an interesting name, TWAIN is from Kipling's poem "The Ballard of East and West" - "...and never the twain shall meet...". Therefore, it is important to realize that TWAIN is not an acronym, but could be considered a backronym.

ISIS, Scanner terms