A High-Speed Printing Telegraph System

The paper describes a system of high-speed printing telegraphy devised by the author, a prominent feature of which is the simplicity of the apparatus and its operation. The author briefly mentions a number of high-speed systems which have been tested by the operating companies, none of which have completely fulfilled all the requirements for accuracy, rapidity and low cost which are desirable for commercial work. The system described is operated in connection with a commercial typewriter to which a punch is connected which perforates a half-inch strip of paper with groups of holes distinctly spaced in five rows, each group representing a letter. The punched strip of paper is then sent through the transmitter so that the holes pass under five wire brushes. Batteries of either polarity are thus connected between the earth and either one of a pair of conductors, or batteries of different potential can also be used. At the receiver there are five elements which are separately controlled and these elements make an autographic record by means of a local battery on a moving sensitized paper whenever they touch the surface. The apparatus, which is comparatively simple, is illustrated and described in detail. On the basis of simplex working and the use of two wires, the operating speed is 650 words per minute over a 375-mile line. If duplex working should be used the total speed of working per wire would be increased accordingly.