This seems very similar to a xerox machine.
Electric CAMERA Works Without Film
SELENIUM, that wonderful metal that changes its electrical resistance upon exposure to light, has recently been used in a most revolutionary camera developed by Mr. K. Wilcke, German scientist. In the ordinary sense of the term, this experimenter uses no film, and entirely dispenses with the use of silver compounds.
In a special camera, shown above, the light enters through a standard lens and strikes a glass plate, on which is a very fine film of metal-like platinum or gold; so fine that it will permit the passage of light. Backed up to this metal film is a layer of selenium, behind which is placed a piece of paper soaked in a special electrolyte. The last member of the group is another metal plate, which serves as second electrode.Due to the process of electrolysis, the image impressed upon the selenium will be reproduced upon the paper, the most metal being deposited in the dark portions of the picture.