The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-08-19
Fac-Simile TeIegraphy.

The one thing wanted in telegraphy BY
which message may be practically trans.
mitted over wire and appear at the distant
terminus in the exact handwriting of the send.
er, has at last been accomplished by an Amer.
lean electrician, Mr.. w. Z. Sawyer. The field
opened TO the telegraphlc world by this in.
vention is almost without limit.
The instruments are wonderfully simple in
construction and easily cOmprehended.
The system is capable Of transmitting over
single wire from fifty to one hundred and
Fifty words per minute, against possible 80
to forty by the Morse system, which is that
now in common use. BY this system per-
sons own handwriting is transmitted by tel
egraph, the same as though sent by mail, and
in brief, simply accomplishes letter writing
by telegraph. In order to render its operation
fully understood it may be described as fol-
| lows:
| FIRST, the sender of q message writes 1t upon
ordinary white paper; the written message
is then laid upon metallic plate and passed
between two rollers, with the effect of trans.
ferring the copy to the plate, which may be
done any time within ten hours after writing.
Then the plate containing the copy is placed
upon a semi.cylindrical holder which ira
verses little track, and the instrument is set
in motion, the whole operation up to this
point having been accomplished in less time
than 1t takes to write it; whereas, by the
Morse system, quite number Of minutes
elapse before the message reaches the opera
tor. The metallic plate is n conductor of
electricity, while the lines of writing are non.
conductors. Over the cylindrical plate are
carried metallic points upon revolving arms !;
whenever the point is upon the metallic sur
face, the electric current passes through to
the wire: the instant the point touches line
of writing the connection is broken and dot
is made upon acknowledgement paper
placed upon q similar instrument at the re.
Ceiving point.
The two instruments operate synchronous-
|ly-i e., the moment q point is passing over
the surface Of one instrument it is followed
exactly by the point on the other instrument
An ingenius mechanical arrangement per
fects the transmitting powers and prevents
the possibility of one instrument gaming
over the other. At the same time the points
arc moving over its surface, the plate is moved
slowly horizontally, so that the entire sur
face is traversed The transferred message
is, of course in reverse, but is brought straight
by running the receiving instrument in an
opposite direction. Each Instruments fitted
either to receive or transmit, at pleasure. The
rate of speed varies according to the close
ness of the writing; the points traversing the
entire surface of the copy, 1t is immaterial as
to the number of words, only the space they
occupy requiring given time to be gone
over. Ordinary writing will be transmitted
at the rate of fifty TO one hundred words per
minute.
The message, as received, is ready at once
for delivery, and appears IN close, dark blue
dotted lines, on white paper. There is no loss
of time in counting words at the sending sta
ton, as is now the case, nor delay in getting
to the hand Of the operator; but, in quarter
of a minutes time from its being received, ii
is silently speeding its way to its destination,
and automatically preparing itself for dellv-
cry The wonderful facilities of the system
render it peculiarly adapted to large and
hurried business. 1t is the fruit OF many
years close application, hence the perfection
with which it makes its appearance
The writer of message is, of course, rs
usual, supplied with blanks. In the system
which is now being perfected
by the company already formed to utilize this
great invention--for whatever may be written
upon the blank he will pay an invariable sum
of money, if snder two hundred and fifty
miles; If over, double that amount in stamps.
to be furnished by the company, and used the
same as postage stamps. Whatever is writ
ten upon the blank, whether five words or 90,
will be sent for the same amount. 1t is so
much blank passing through the instruments,
and no cOgHlzance is taken of its contents
Boston Journal Of Commerce.