IMPROVEMENTS IN TRANSMITTING AND PRINTING TELEGRAPHIC MLSSAGES AND IN APPARATUS THEREFOR, AND ALSO IN TYPE WRITING PROCESSES AND IN APPARATUS THEREFOR"
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Samuel Williams, of Newport, in the County of Mon-
mouth, for the Invention of " IMPROVEMENTS IN TRANSMITTING AND PRINTING
TELEGRAPHIC MLSSAGES AND IN APPARATUS THEREFOR, AND ALSO IN TYPE
WRITING PROCESSES AND IN APPARATUS THEREFOR"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Samuel Williams at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 29th January 1877
"
SAMUEL WILLIAMS, of Newport, in the County of Monmouth IMPROVEMENTS
IN TRANSMITTING AND PRINTING TELEGRAPHIC MESSAGES AND IN APPARATUS
THEREFOR, AND ALSO IN TYPE WRITING PROCESSES AND IN APPARATUS THERE-
FOR."
The object of this Invention is to enable a skilled operator to transmit words any
distance as fast as they can be read or spoken, the act of transmission automatically
recording such words instantaneously and simultaneouly and in a multiple form if
required at both ends of the wire in clear Roman type spaced, punctuated, and cor-
rectly spelt as the language is written, and the Invention consists in an instrument
so devised and constructed as to print in the manner when manipulated, in the
same manner and with no more expenditure of labour, time, or skill than is required
in the writing of verbatim shorthand, so that shorthand characters traced at either
end of the wire are instantly translated at both ends into Roman lettered punted
language.
The improved apparatus is constructed of a number of small electro-magnets,
corresponding in number with the letters of the alphabet, numerals, punctuation
points, and other characters or signs which it may be desued to print, arranged in a
circle, each of these electro-magnets forming a short local circuit with the battery in
the following manner -One end of the wie, say the N, from each magnet is fixed
in a non-conducting plate on the upper surface of which the said end is exposed and
the circuit is closed for each magnet respectively, when the wire from the S pole of
the battery is so passed over the surface of this plate as to make contact
A revolving disc fitted with fine needle points rotates at right angles with a
second disc which rotates freely on fine pivots in steel or lignum vitae bearings, one
Do71

page_text: of the surfaces of this disc is formed with square channels corresponding in number
with the letters of the alphabet, numerals, punctuation points, and other type signs
which it may be necessary to print. In these channels the said types fit and are
held in then places by an elastic spring, but can freely move at night angles to the
edge of the disc which carries them These types are thrown out of the perpen-
dicular into a slanting position by being made to pass over a ledge with the rotation
of the disc, a rollor or wheel revolves with this disc and receives the impressions of
the type, a number of these rollers can be fitted to the instrument when several
copies of the same matter are required at once. I also provide a small roller wheel
coated with carbon paper or printers' ink from which the types receive the colouring
substance in which the impression is made The wheels are caused to revolve by
suitably placed electro-magnets
The printing disc carries the battery wire connected in somewhat the same
manner as in a single needle instrument and the tongues of all the small electro-
magnets form the terminals of the line wire
When the pointer is moved over the sending plate so as to make contact with
any given one of the small electro-magnets, the tongue of such magnet springs to its
core, so that when the printing disc passes it, contact is made with the line wire, and
the current is thus sent-to the -distant station, the instruments at both ends are
identical and rotate synchronously The disc is in fact an electro-magnetic engine,
and the current which rotates the one at the sonding station is precisely that which
rotates the other at the receiving station When required the instruments can be
worked by ordinary relays The current received from the sending station enters
all the electro-magnets connected with the line wire simultaneously The effect 18
this. The needle disc rotates and the type which may be passing over a slit pio-
vided for the purpose, is knocked into its channel, is held there by a surrounding
band or plate similar to that herein-before described, and the printing disc con-
tinuing to rotate, the type makes its impression, and the type which is struck into
position will corespond with the electro-magnet at the sending station, which made
contact with the line wue, and this electro-magnet will in its turn corespond with
the letter indicated by the pointer Before the printing disc comes ound to the
same point again all the types are made to assume then slanting position by passing
over a curved guide ledge, which position they retain till again required
I provide a suitable leverage arrangement, so that when the winter is moved over
the smooth surface of the glass plate below its point, a corresponding motion is
made over the sending plate, when this is done, in order to make words for each
wold desired, the pointer describes a certain definite figure, the dimensions and
shape of this figure are reduced and systematized by this lever arrangement Thus
to write or rather punt the word "electricity," which by any of the present methods
of transmission would requne at least twenty-five distinct motions of the hand and
as many distinct signs made by the recorder at the receiving station, it is only
necessary with my improved instrument to make a motion by the winter, as the
glass dial which would describe a figure somewhat similar to a tangle with the
apex downwards and with a line projecting from the apex, and the result would be,
the word would be printed at both ends of the wie simultaneously in clear Roman
type and in multiple forms of copies when requied
The matter transmitted may either be pinted in an endless single line on the
ordinary tape band paper, or it may be printed on an endless page of lines of a
given length The instrument has been described for the former method of printing
For the latter arrangement the receiving disc is furnished at night angles to its outer
surface with four projections carrying a globular body, the ends of the shaft of
which fit into and work up and down a curved groove airangement Between
these parts and the printing disc there is a platform, over the sui face of which the
paper passes The types from the disc above make contact with the ball below
through an aperture, the paper being placed between them, two catches keep the
paper in position, and a cog wheel arrangement moves the paper forward the
necessary space for each fresh linc

page_text: The arrangement of the sending plate is one of the most important features in
the Invention The wues corresponding with the letters and magnets are so
arranged as to the frequent occurrence of any elementary or compound part of a
word, videlicet, any given letter or combination of letters, that the simplest outlines
as to form by the wiiter are secured for those words and parts of words which are
used most frequently in the language This sending plate is suiounded by a ling
all in oue connection with type space in the printing disc (by means of its coires-
ponding electro-maguet) so that a slight prolongation, quite inappreciable in its
length, to every sign for a word represents the necessary space hetween that and
the succeeding woid
The improvements which my apparatus affords when used for the purposes of a
type writer will be fully understood by the foregoing description.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Samuel Williams in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 27th July
1877.
SAMUEL WILLIAMS, of Newport, in the County of Monmouth
"IMPROVEMENTS
IN TRANSMITTING AND PRINTING TELEGRAPHIC MESSAGES AND IN APPARATUS
THEREFOR, AND ALSO IN TYPE WRITING PROCESSLS AND IN APPARATUS THERE-
FOR
"
One of the objects of the Invention is to enable a skilled operator to transmit
words as fast as they can be read or spoken, the act of transmission automally
recording such words instantaneously and simultaneously at either or both ends of
the wire and in such a manner as to furnish several copies should the same be
requited, such record being made in clean Roman or other type, spaced, punctuated,
and corectly spelled as the language is written, and the Invention consists of an
instrument so devised and constructed as to print in the manner referred to when
manipulated in a manner assimilated to and necessitating in practice no greater
expenditure of time, labour, or skill than that which is requned in the writing of
what is known as phonography or other system of ver batun shorthand or steno-
graphy, so that what may be termed shoithand characters or motions, resembling
such in brevity of outline when traced at either end of the wno, me instantly and
automatically and simultaneously transformed or translated at both ends of the
wie into Roman or other lettered printed language
Another of the objects of the Invention is to provide a means whereby spoken
words may be instantly and fully recorded verbatim et literatim as fast as they are
uttered, such record being made in a printed form, thus entuely obviating the
labour of producing writing as made by the pen, and substituting a system and a
means which give greater ease, greater speed, and the unquestionably superior
resultants and advantages of printed over witten matter, and in this respect the
Invention is intended to be applicable to all those purposes for which the pen may
be at present used by providing an instrument, the result of the operation of which
combines the perfect legibility, uniformity, economy, compactness, and valuable
effects of the clearest punt with the speed, universal utility, and the special and
peculiar advantages derivable from the use of short hand
And my Invention further consists of an instrument so devised and constructed
s, when operated upon in the manner herein-after descubed, to give the above
esults.
My improved instrument when in its adapted form as used for telegraphic
purposes I have named the "teletype," and when in its adapted form as used for all
he purposes to which the Invention is applicable as providing an instrument
ntended to supersede the use of the pen, I have named the "graphotype"
My improved instruments, otherwise the telotype and graphotype, are in their

page_text: essential parts identical in construction, and the following description aided by the
accompanying Drawing will be generally applicable to both
In the Drawing Figure 1 is an elevation, Figure 2 an end view, and Figure 3
a plan of the improved apparatus I provide in the first place a revolving disc A,
which I call the type wheel freely rotating in steel or other antifrictional bearings
between the frames or sides of the instrument This type wheel A, which 18 shewn
in section at Figure 4, carries on one of its surfaces radiating to the circumference
square channels corresponding in number to the letters of the alphabet, numerals,
punctuation points, and other types or characters which it may be desired to print.
These square channels are made of the dimensions suitable to accommodate the
types 5 they are intended to receive Each type 5 is held in its place by an elastic
band which passes round a groove at the head and on the side of the type, and then
through a small hole drilled through the disc on each side of the type, the elastic
band being tied at the back As the type wheel A when in position rotates in
a vertical plane, each type is moveable (apart from the rotary motion of the wheel)
in the direction of an are at right angles to the edge or circumference of the disc A
This is an essential and important feature of the Invention, as will be herein-after
seen in describing the object of this device. I provide what I call the percussion
wheel shewn in the Drawing at D, shewn in front and side elevation at Figures 5
and 6, this is in the form of an ordinary ratchet wheel as to its general appearance,
but its essential construction, arrangement, and relation to the other portions of the
instrument assign it a place as one of the most novel features in the Invention
This wheel consists of thirteen teeth a contained or held between two thin ando
frames b, c, the edges of which overlap the outside circumference of the teeth One
of these side frames b is fitted with thu teen fine inetal points on rods d radiating
like the spokes of a wheel
I also provide small electro-magnets, shewn at F, corresponding in number and
position to the types, signs, or characters 5 cained by the type wheel A These
small electio-innguets Fare shewn in the Diawing, airanged in a cucle on the
inner side of the front plate or side fiame f of the instrument Each of these electio-
magnets F forms a short local circuit with a battery in the following manner -The
wire from the zinc terminal of the battery after passing round the core of the
magnet is carried to and fixed in a non-conducting slab or plate, on the upper sul-
face of which the end of the said terminal wie is exposed, and the cucuit is
closed for each magnet respectively when the terminal from the copper of the
battery is so passed over this plate or slab as to make contact I provide a
moveable fiame, shewn detached in elevation and plan at Figures 7 and 8, which
holds the paper 21 in position, videlicet, straight, tight, and perfectly flat and even
This fiame G, herein-after called the paper canying fame, is constructed of thin
pieces of brass work or other suitable inetal or material, the dimensions shewn in
the Diawing being suitable for either a single sheet or continuous roll, fom and a
half inches wide from edge to edge of the paper, but either by making the frame
longer or by having the frame of a maximum length (say eight or nine inches) with
the essential parts fitted with adjustable screws, any given width of paper within
such maximum length of frame may be used The front side of this frame G con-
sists of a toothed rack e, through the longitudinal section of which is pierced a very
nairow aperture 20, just wide enough to admit the passage of the paper 21 which
passes through in the direction of the allows The other side of the frame consists
of two very fine rollers fl, and at the night hand end there is a cog wheel aange-
ment consisting of a small bevel wheel g working in gear with another bevel wheel
h attached to the top roller, the wheel 9 having on its outside surface six ratchet
teeth, as shown in Figure 9
As described, those two sides, videlicet, the toothed rack c on one side and the two
small rollers f¹ on the other side form the frame in which the paper is first placed,
in which it is then and afterwards held and through which it is allowed to pass,
the ends of the said frame being joined together in any manner consistent with
lightness and stability of the whole.

page_text: Figure 10 is a section of the fiame or line A, B, of Figure 7 Down the centre
of this paper canying frame runs a thin ail as an additional means of imparting
stability to the entire paper canying fiame, and holding the paper in its desired
position, this paper cairying frame is fitted with two arm-like projections 1 and 2,
one at each end of the toothed rack side, corresponding to each other in structure,
but reverse to each other in the duection in which they extend and the angle at
which they are placed
Surrounding the cucle described by the ends of the types as they evolve with
the type whecl A, and placed at a proper distance for the said ends to slide over it,
Is a thin flat band 17 of suitable metal, canned on convenient supports, as shown in
the Diawing, attached to the front side of the fiame, this thin cncular flat band
of metal I call the "guide ledge," shown at 17, and its purpose is to keep such
types as are not required to print away and clear from the paper which is being
painted upon, and to allow those types which are requned to paint to come into full,
efficient, and proper contact with the paper, and immediately after they have printed
their impression on the paper, to conduct them into what I call the non-effective
position, but also to keep them ready for use the instant they are agam wanted
-
The way in which any given type is transferred into what I call its effective
position is the following In the guide ledge 17, at the point where the percussion
wheel D is fixed, there is a division 37, just wide enough to allow the passage of
one type through it With the motion of the wheel however all the types aro
made by then own velocity to run up the inclined portion of the guide ledge
shown in the Diawing, and are in this position carried over the division iefened
to by the inere momentum of type wheel A, and only fall through the said division
when struck down by the for waid motion of one cog space of the percussion wheel
D, this type then passes round at the other side of the guide ledge 17, and with
the continued 1otation of the type wheel caches the point where it makes its im-
picssion upon the paper 21, in the paper carrying frame G, as heiein-before
described
Immediately any given type has made its impression, it is by the same rotary
motion of the wheel which carries it made to assume the noneffective position by
being caned up the inclined plane in the guide ledge 17 before referred to This
guide ledge 17 is another most important essential and novel portion of the Inven-
tion, and contributes towards the perfect automatic action of the instrument as a
whole The portion of the guide ledge which has been referred to as the inclined
plane has a function other than that just described, and this will be herein-after
described when ti eating of the general action of the instrument and of the motion
of the paper rack and the printed paper
'
The motive power for the entire machine is provided for in the large compound
electro-magnet shewn in the Drawing at E This consists of an ordinary perma-
nent steel magnet of horse-shoe pattern with pole pieces of pure soft swedish non
and these pole pieces canly the coils of insulated copper wire (say silk covered,
No 40's) The induced magnetism in the soft iron coies is sufficient to overcome
the tension of the antagonistic spring 33 connected with the armature, as illustrated
in the Diawing, and the current from the battery is always passed in such a duec-
tion as to reverse this induced polarity in the cores, andthus release the armatures
which actuated by their respective springs move their corresponding parts of the
instrument, videlicet, the armature 10 from tho side of the coils moves the percus-
sion wheel D forward the space of one cog, and the armature 18 from the ends of
the coils moves the type wheel A round by means of the pallet 36, jointed to the
armature 18, and acting on the other ratchet-like arrangement 7, working outside
the front frame of the instrument, and (for convenience of structure) inside the
bend of the horse-shoe magnet Referring again to the percussion wheel D, it is
necessary to particularly point out that this wheel works in gear with the leverage
escapement movement B¹, as actuated by the armature 19 at the side of the coils,
as shewn at Figure 2 in the Diawing.
The proportionate distances at which the pivots and bearings in which this lever

page_text: works are such that the commencement of the motion of the one sixteenth of an
inch play which the armature has will cause the percussion wheel D to move and
strike the type into its bed through the slit 37 in the guide ledge, and the full
motion of the one-sixteenth of an inch play of the armature 19 brings the next point
into position for the next type which may be required To prevent the driving
armature 18 from rising too high I provide stops marked 29, and stops 30 are
provided to prevent the percussion wheel armature 19 having too much play
I provide a small wheel or roller L, placed as shewn in Figure 1 of the Drawing,
with which the types in the type wheel come into contact, and from which they
receive the colouring substance in which they-make their impression This roller L
I coat with carbon paper or a transferring pigment in solid form, as the impression
made from such contact is of the clearest description and beautifully outlined.
This carbon paper or other material which forms the coating of the roller being so
prepared and of such a description as to enable the impressions therefrom to be
copied in the press like the wiiting from ordinary copying ink
The type space occupies a deeper bed in the type wheel than all the other types,
and consequently as the type wheel revolves this space type misses of avoids
contact with the small roller just described, thus preserving itself clean and free
from any colouring substance, in order that when it comes into contact with the
paper it should make no mark, but simply by its impact with the paper leave a
white free space the size of its own surface dimension at the same time moving
the paper forward the extent of such free space
"
Having described the principal parts of the instrument, I will proceed to explain
its action in detail, and in doing so will specify the remaining parts of construction
which have not been mentioned in the preceding desciption When the instrument
18 at 1est the operator by simply moving it round sets the type wheel A to some
predetermined letter, say the letter "A," that is to say, in such a position that if he
were to pass the wne 8 from the battery terminal referred to over the end of the
wire 7 in the "writing slab K connected with the small electro-magnet F
corresponding to the "A" type in the type wheel A, the tongue of such small
electro-magnet in being attracted to its core would make contact with the platinum
point 27 in the cog wheel marked C m the Diawing As the tongues of all the
small electro-magnets are electrically connected with the battery, as is also the
platinum projection 27 referred to, it is clear that such contact would set fiee the
two amatures 18 and 19 on the large magnet, the "A" type would be knocked
down into its bed or channel, and the type wheel A. would at the same time begin
to revolve
When a definite number of types, as will have to be ascertained by practice, and
according to the size and description of the particular fount of type which is used
and according to the dimensions of the paper-carrying frame have printed
themselves on the sheet of paper 21, and a point about a quarter of an inch fiom
the edge has been reached, the toothed lack e will simultaneously have travelled its
full limit, and the projection from that side of the paper-callying frame G which 18
fitted with the rollers will have come into contact with the leverage arrangement
connected with the inclined plane m in the guide ledge 17, which at this point
consists of a flange moveable on a thin joint 24 or small delicately made hinge, and
this contact causes the flange to move in the direction indicated in the Diawing,
such motion of the flange or inclined plane m carrying the type which had just
Inade its impression up into the non-effective position over the surface of the guide
ledge 17, At this moment also the arm-like projection 2 on the front side of the
toothed rack e on the paper-carying fiame G will have thiown the small cog
wheel 28 into gear with the toothed rack and with the larger cog wheel C above it,
thus imparting to the paper-carying frame the backward motion necessary to bung
the paper into position for the next line of printing During the period of this
backward motion of the paper-carı ying frame, the time thus occupied in not
printing is also availed of to turn the paper forward the necessary space for the
fresh line, and this is done by the cog wheel with the six teeth, shewn at the end of

page_text: the paper-carrying frame coming into contact with the stud fixed to the brass stand
which supports the paper-carrying frame The motion thus produced has the effect
of rotating the two iollers f¹, and the paper between them moves the required
distance While however this backward motion is taking place, the operator does
not or rather is not in any way whatever obliged to suspend his manipulating for
even the smallest fraction of time, and should, as of course would in all probability
be the case, any types have been knocked into their places during the instant the
paper is returning, they are carried sound with the type wheel the space of one
revolution in the order in which they were indicated by the operator without
printing themselves, and this is accomplished by reason of the flange of the guide
ledge having been momentarily deprived in the manner described of its normal
inclined position, and thus rendered non-effective as regards allowing the types to
slide up its outer surface The types therefore which have been knocked down in
order to print during the interval consumed by the return of the paper-carrying
frame G remain in position to print till the frame retuins, which it does in the space
of one revolution of the type wheel
Besides this arrangement to preserve the types in their respective positions when
the instrument is at this juncture, and in order that they may not meet the
antagonistic motion of the paper as it returns with the return motion of the paper-
carrying frame, the small cog wheel 28 when thrown into gear with the toothed
rack, and the larger wheel C above presses down the entire receiving portion of the
instrument on small springs provided for the purpose, and shewn marked 35 in the
Diawing, thus holding the paper clear away from the types
Of
The parts of the instrument just herein-before described, together with their
corresponding motions and functions, constitute features of great utility and novelty
demonstrating the perfect automatic action of the instrument, and shewing how
independent its action is of the interference or manipulation on the part of the
operator in this respect, obviating the necessity of touching the instrument to
regulate the paper from first to last, and allowing the operator to continue his
manipulation of the instrument without any interruption of any soit or kind
course when the reverse end of the paper-carrying frame has reached the point for
commencing to print again, the second arm-like projection throws the small cog
wheel out of gear and the fiame stops, at the same moment the longitudinal pro-
jection at the same end and on the other side of the frame opens the guide ledge
flange or inclined plane, so that the types when they begin to print again aie
instantly made to slide up and assume the non-effective position
The paper carrying frame is moved forward by the impetus it receives from the
impact of each type as it prints itself, thus moving the space of each type and no
further The space between words or other spaces is made by a type space which
moves the papei-carrying frame for waid without making any impression The paper
carrying frame is mounted on tightly stretched wires 25 supported on a suitable
brass stand 34, which in turn together with the small receiving wheel shewn at B
in the Drawing rests on the springs 35, whose action is requned to allow the
depression of the whole receiving portion of the instrument during the moment
the paper carrying frame is making the return journey for a fresh line, as herein-
before described, 22 shews the steel wue for the front stop, 23 is the back stop;
32 is the part of the paper carrying frame shewing action of the back stop 23 in
closing the moveable part of the guide ledge, 31 represents the pillars for sup-
porting the guide ledge The receiving wheel B may, if desired, be made to work
in gear with the type wheel by means of suitable shafting
I will now describe the general action of the instrument -The large cog wheel C
attached to the axis x on which the typo wheel A. rotates carries, as already stated,
the battery terminal by means of a suitable connection, and when used as a
telegraph instrument the tongues or armatures of all the small electro-magnets F
are in electrical connection with the line terminals, whilst on the other hand the
cores of such small electro-magnets are respectively connected with the earth plate,
so that in the action of the instrument when the Cu of the battery is put to line

page_text: This
the Zn may be put to earth The action now being described refers to the teletype
when worked on the single curent system, as one single curient is all that is
sufficient to register every and each letter The instruments at both ends of the
we are perfectly identical in movement, size, construction, and every and all other
respects, and when they are made to rotate synchronously the printing disc or type
wheel becomes in reality an electro-magnetic engine which receives its motion from
the action of the armature at the ends of the coils on the lage magnet The
instrument is so devised as to admit of being worked on long overland lines or
submarine cables by ordinary relays, but in forming my electrical arrangement I
have duected my attention specially to render it so sensitive as to be susceptible
of the weakest cuirent, and thus obviate the necessity of using relays at all
will be apparent on a reference to the Drawing The weakest current in an
opposite direction to the polarity induced in the coils by the permament magnet
will release the arinatures on the ends and sides of the coils, which of course will
be pulled away by the full force and tension of their respective springs, so that
whether the curents in fact be strong on weak, or varying any way in quantity or
in quality from whatever cause ausing, the mechanical action of the instrument at
both ends of the wire is precisely the same, and the types print themselves with an
undenating uniformity of perfect legibility, that is to say, so long as any cuent
can get through the coils at all the armatuies from the side will move the percussion
wheel and the type will be struck down into its place, and when once in its place
it makes its impression upon the paper with the full and perfect legibility of printed
matter and never varies in this or fails to record the signals or currents so sent
The writing slab K (shown in section and plan at Figures 11 and 12) which
contains the ends of the wues 7 fiom each of the small electio-magnets, is a small
glass, ivory, or other non-conducting plate z The wne from the other terminal of
the battery, which is carried in two pencil cases or other suitable holders y, is the
portion of the instrument which is used by the operator in order to manipulate.
These portions of the Invention, videlicet, the waiting slab and the two holders or
cases containing the platinum tipped terminals for further most important and
novel features of the Invention, as is also then respective disposition and anange-
ment in reference to their object and in order to accomplish the purpose for which
they are intended The ends of the wies corresponding to the types on the type
wheel and in connection with the respective small electio-magnets are so arranged
as to the frequent occurence of any elementary or compound part of a word, vide-
licet, any given letter or combination of letters, that the simplest outlines as to
form me secured for those words or parts of words and phrases which are used the
most frequently in the language This writing slab may be of much smaller
dimensions than indicated in the Diawing, say one half inch in diameter, and 18
surrounded by the wie coresponding to the space type on the printing disc or
type wheel (by means of its collesponding electro-magnet) This wire is all in one
connection and has its surface exposed and level with the surface of the writing
slab, so that a slight piolongation quite inappreciable in its length, and made in
the direction in which the figure which terminates the word is bound to be written,
represents the necessaryspace between that and the following word
The instrument has been described for printing on a sheet or endloss page of
lines, but by detaching the portion of the instrument devised for this latter purpose
it can be made to punt on an endless single line on the ordinary tape or 11bbon
paper
To manipulate the instrument the operator will have to acquie the skill necessary
to do so, and this consists in moving the pencil or pencils of platinum with one or
both hands over the writing slab so as to make contact, and the figure which such
motion makes for any desired woid or part of a word partakes of the nature of a
hieroglyph on shorthand character. Words containing but few letters, say, five or
six, are cluefly witten by a short straight line made in a given direction or by a
curve, and with modifications and combinations of these, thus reducing the manipu
lation of the instrument into a perfect system of shorthand. Hence it is that

page_text: shoithand signs or characters traced at either end of the wire are instantly and
automatically and simultaneously translated into printed words in Roman or other
type and correctly spelled at both ends of the wie
The aangement of letters for the writing slab shewn in Figure 13 ofthe
Diawing is adapted for the English language, and of course for cach respective
language it will be necessary to adapt the letters to the special peculiarities of its
orthography, and it is of course understood that I do not confine myself to the
arrangement shewn
It will perhaps be found expedient to have the ends of the wires in some cases,
such as shewn at N and T, laiger or smaller comparatively, so that if, for instance,
I want to pass over T from the left I may be able to do so without running the
risk of touching N The outer ring would represent the "space" type, so that a
slight almost inappreciable addition to the length of the figure described in writing
a word and written in the direction in which it is bound to go would make the
necessary spaces between the words The numerals could be arranged in a small
circle, somewhat in the manner shewn in Figure 14, placed alongside, so that, for
instance, a figure like L would knock down the types representing 1000
Having now described my said Invention and the best means with which I am
acquainted for carrying the same into effect, I wish it to be understood that I do
not confine myself to the precise details herein laid down and shewn in the Drawing,
as the same may be varied without departing from the peculiar character of the
Invention, but what I do claim 19;-
Fustly The printing of language as fast as the words or parts of words con-
stituting such language may be read, spoken, heard, or pass through the mind as a
mental act, such printing being done in the ordinary Roman or other lettered type,
and the words, parts of words, and other signs and symbols representing parts of
speech belonging to such language so printed being correctly spelled at full length,
ver batum et inter atam, and otherwise expressed in exact accordance with the
recognized manner in which such languago is written, as herein-before described
Secondly The method of making, tracing, or other wise indicating signs, figures,
shapes, forms, characters, or combinations of the same expressive of or made by any
motion whatsoever of the hand on hands so as to assimilate to the same way and to
the same extent as would be required in the writing of a system of verbatim
shorthand, as herein-before described
Thirdly The general arrangement and construction of the instrument herein-
before described, and the combining with such instrument the use of magnetism,
elcctricity, and electro-magnetism for producing not only the primary motive power
to work the several parts of the mechanism of the said instrument, but also for
furnishing that force and agency by which the making, tracing, or otherwise indi-
cating the signs, figures, shapes, forms, characters, and motions or combinations of
the same so act upon, impel, control, and set in motion the several parts of the
mechanism of the said instrument, and otherwise have such relation thereto as to
produce piinted language, in the manner and to the same extent as herein-before
described and represented in the accompanying Diawing
Fourthly The application of my improved apparatus when placed at each end of
an ordinary telegraph line, and made to move synchronously for printing such
words or parts of words and other signs and symbols representing parts of speech
belonging to any given language at one or both ends of the said line, in the manner,
to the extent, and when manipulated as herem-before described
Fifthly The application of my method and apparatus to all those purposes for
which the pen may be at present used, whether in writing on a single sheet of
paper in successive lines or in writing on a continuous roll or page of paper in
successive lines, as herein-before described
Sixthly The construction and employment of type wheel herein-before
described
Seventhly The construction and employment of the percussion wheel, herein-
before described

page_text: Eighthly. The combination with the said type wheel of the guide ledge, as and
for the purposes herein-before described.
Ninthly The construction and employment of the paper-carrying frame and the
arrangement for effecting the forward and backward motion of the same, as herein-
before described
Tenthly The arrangement for effecting the lowering of the receiving portion of
the instrument during the return of the paper-carrying frame, as herein-before
described
Eleventhly The construction and employment of the writing slab, in combination
with the two holders or cases containing the platinum-tipped terminals, as and for
the purposes described
Twelfthly The arrangement for moving the paper forward the necessary distance
for each successive line, as herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Samuel Williams, have hereto set my hand
and seal, this Twenty-sixth day of July, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundied and seventy-seven.
S WILLIAMS. (L.S.)