The anti-monopolist., 1876-09-14
The Anti-AEonopolist.
FAC-SIMILE TELEGRAPH

The one thing wanted in danlekfaphy. by
which message may y p{Sc4ics5ly trans
mitted over wire and hpp&Ar IN the dis
tant terminus in the sf8ct Mand writing Of
the sender, has at 1asSs beer accomplished
by an American electrician, Mr.. W. Z. Saw
yer. The field opened to the telegraphic
world by this invention is almost without
limit. The instruments are wonderfully
simple in construction and easily compre>
hendcd. Mi 4a
The system is capable Of transmitting over
q single wire from fifty to one hundred and
fifty words per minute, against possible
thirty to forty by the Morse system, which
system u persons ewn hand writiAg is
transmitted by telegraph, the same as
though sent by nail, aud, in brief, simply
accomplishes letter writing by telegraph.
In order TO render its opefation fully nndes>
stood ii may be described as follows:
/ First, the sender Of a message writes it
upon ordinary white paper; the written
message is then laid upon a metallic p ate
and passed between two rollers, with the
effect oftransferrig the copy ,othe plate,
which may he dene any u.fime Within len
hours after writing Then the plate con-
tanning the copy is placed upon semicyl-
indricai hokler which traverses little
track, and the instrument is set in motion,
the whole operation up to this point having
been accomplished in less time than il takes
to write it, whereas, by the Morse system,
quite anumber OF minutes elapse before the
message reaches the operator. Tae metal-
lie plate is a conductor Of electricity, while
the lines of writing are non-coninctors.
Over the cylindrical plate arc carried metal
lie points upon revolving arms; whenever
the point is upon tho metallic surface. the
electric current passes through the wire;
the instant the point tiuchcs q line Of writing
the connection is broken aud dot is made
upon chemically prepared paper place upon
. similar instrument at the receiving point.
The two instruments operate synchronous-
ly-i. g.. the moment point is passing ever
the serface Of one instrument, il is followed
exactly BY the point OF the other instru4 =
ment. An ingenious mechanical arrange
ment perfects the transmitting powers and
prevents the possibility of one instrument
gaining over the other. At The same time
the points are moving over its surface, the
plate is moved slowly horizontally, SO that
the entire surface is traversed. ghe trans>
ferred message is, Of course, in reverse, but
is brought straight by running the receiving
Instrument in An opposite direction. Each
instrument is fitted TO either receive or
transmit, At pleasure. The rate Of speed
varies according 10 the cioseness Of the
writing; the points traversing the entire
surface Of the copy, it is immaterial AS to
the number Of words. only the space they
occupy requiring a given time 70 be gone
over. Ordinary writing will be transmitted
at the rate OF fifty to ono hundred word per
minute.
The message, as received. is ready at ouce
for delivery, and appears in close dark blue
dotted lines, on white paper. There is no
loss Of time in counting words at the send
inc station. as is now the case. nor delay in
getting to the hand Of the operator; but, in
alqusrier OF a minutes time from its being
receeivcd, il is silently speeding its way to
its destination, and automatically preparing
itself for delivery. The wonderful facilities
OF the system render it peculiarly adapted
to large aud hurried business. 1t Is the
fruit Of many years close application, hence
the perfection with which il makes its ap>
pearance.
The writer Of message is, Of course as
usual, supplied with blanks. In the system
proposed--aDd which Is now being perfect
cd By the company already formed 70 utilize
this great invention-for whatsser may be
written upon the blank he will pay an in
variable sun, Of money. If under two hun
dred and fifty miles; II over, double that
amount il stamps to be furnished .by tho
company, and used the same - postage
stamps. Whatever is written upon the blaak
whether Eve words or ffly, will be sent for
the same amount Il isso much blank pass
ing through the instruments, and no cogni--
Iauc. is taken Of its contents - Boston
Journal of Commerce