The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-06-25
A WONDERFUL MACHINE
PICTURES REPRODUCED BY TELE-
GRAPH IN A FEW MOMENTS.
Photographs and Printed Matter
Transmitted Long Distances-Re-
suit of Recent Experiments.

CLEVELAND, June pa series of iong-
distance experiments and picture exhibi-
tions have recently taken place over the
wires Of the Western Union Telegraph Com
pany, the last occurring within the past few
days between Cleveland and ST. Louis,
when a number of well-known people Of this
city were present Among the pictures re-
ceived during this test were those of Rear
Admiral Schley, General Manager Melville
F.. Stone. of the Associated Press, and j. G.
Barclay electrician of the Western division
of the Western Union Telegraph Company.
Telegraph electricians and others who were
present at these tests are a unit in ex-
pressing their belief that the machines will
do all that is claimed for them. 1t may be
added that printed or written matter can
be transmitted and reproduced much more
rapidly than pictures, though only few
moments are consumed in transmitting a
cabinet size picture.
In transmitting picture 1t Is first stere-
otyped on a flexible metal plate. The out
lines of the picture are exposed, while the
remainder of the surface of the plate are
covered with nonconductive paint. The
plate is then placed around cylinder, and
the machine, which is operated by an eec-
trio motor, is started The arm bearing
the tracer has its base upon a very finely
threaded rod, and gradually moves to the
left. until the entire picture has been COW
cred by the tracer. Both sending and re-
ceiving machine are governed by simple
synchronizing arrangement, so that both
machines are regulated in their speed auto
matically and must run exactly together
The tracer at the sending point controls
the current on the wire and closes the cir
cult whenever ii comes in contact with the
exposed lines of the picture.
At the receiving end the apparatus Is SINH
lar to that at the transmitting point: the
projecting arm over the cylinder, however,
is provided with stylus controlled by an
ordinary telegraph sounder. Around the
cylinder is wrapped several sheets of paper
with carbon copying sheets between them
The sounder bearing stylus closes down on
the cylinder and copying paper. recording
the most minute lines in the original pic
ture as the tracer at the sending point
passes over them.
In transmitting written or printed matter
tie process is the same as above noticed,
except that the copy is either written or
copied on a flexible brass or metal plate, the
circuit being broken whenever the tracer
strikes the ink. which is nonconductive. In
this case, the receiving instrument Is re-
yersed so that IL records on the paper the
opening instead of closing OF the circuit.
The synchronizing arrangement Is most
ingenious and is arranged so that, no mat
ter how many receiving machines there
may be cut in along the line, IL is not neces-
sary 10 have operator or attendant TO
care for them. The operator at the trans
mitting point can easily correct or regulate
the speed of all.
Ii IS claimed that by using an enlarged
cylinder, half or even a full newspaper
page. or matrice form, can be placed in q
transmitting machine. operated. say, in New
York or Chicago and reproduced stimuli
taneously In practically all OF the leading
cities Of the country within very few
minutes.