The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-04-05
ROANOKE, VA. APRIL 5, 1898.
GHAr,s TELAUroGRAPH.

No more wonderful scientific inven-
tion, or perhaps it would be moro correct
to say application Of a known scientific
principle" has becn given TO the public
in recent years than Prof, Elisha Gray's
telautograph. The principle Of the
telautograph, or long distance writing
machine, is an extension Of the prin-
ciple of the telephone, and an extension
of the telephone principle that is not
unlikely to be attended, with great prac
tical results. Here is an official descrip
ton OF the machine in question:
The tclautograph consists OF transmtter and
reccTer associated for use ut the one station.
The structure OF thc.c instruments is remarkably
simple and devoid of complication, and the mode
OF operation is in all respects direct and positive
An ordinary lead pencil Is used, near the point OF
which two silk cords arc fastened at right angles
10 each other. These cords connect with the
instrument ant, following the motions of the
pencils, regulate the current impulses which con-
troll the receiving pen the distant stations. The
writing is done OIL ordinary paper, conveniently
attached to the mschinc. lever at the left Is so
moved by the hand TO shift the paper forward
mechanically at the transmittcr and electrically
glass tube, placed Mt the junction OF two alumni
Jun arms. The gass pen is supplied with ink
which flows from reservoir through small
rubber placed in one of these arms. The electrical
impulses coming over the wire move the pen at
the receiver simultaneously with the movements
OF the pencil in the hand OF the sender. As the
pen passes over the paper an ink tracing is left,
which is always fac smile OF tho tenders mo-
lions, whether in the formation OF letters, words
figures, aigns or sketches.
From this lucid and easily intelligi.
BILE description it will be seen that the
telautograph is the telephone in moro
developed stage, Just as q butterfly
from communicating grub. Ia the
telephone the human mouth gives the
message to the transmitter, which passes
1T on to human ear at the OF Their end
and it is only in human ear at the
other end thatth message by telephone
makes record. The telephone message
in fact makes E tangible record. But
message by telautograph does mako e.
tangible record. The message, in the
first place, is writtca on the trausnittor
in the ordinary way with a pen, then,
while it is being written, it is being also
transmitted over the wire, and Is repyo.
duced at the oUher end on the receiver.
in precisely the same photographic char
acters in which it was written on The
transmitter. In other words, when the
photographic message writes itself out,
as it does mechanically or automatic.
ally, at tho far or receivers end, the
message there is fac simile OF the hand.
writing at the near or transmitter's end.
The following are some Of the adyan.
tages claimed by it's inventor for this
wonderful m achine: i. Any person &C
customed to writing can use the talau-
togfaph. 2. Whatever is written at one
end Of the circuit i, reproduced in
fac simile at the other. 3. Arbitrary
signs, pictures, diagrams. figures, tab
u!ated statements. cipher and short.
hand signals are transmitted, as we'll as
ordinary writing. 4. The sender and
receiver each has q record OF every mes.
sage and reply. 5. II the receiver is
absent he will find the message on his
return. 6. The telautograph works
noiselessly and insures secret service.
6. 1t is so simple as to be easily kept in
order. s. Its operations are no. affected
by induction or leakage. 0. The line
cannot be so ia ?ped as to intercept or
stea, message.
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