IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRIC TELEGRAPHS
Year: 1850

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ERNST
WERNER SIEMENS, of Berlin, in the Kingdom of Prussia, Electric Engineer,
send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Royal Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, bearing date at Westminster, the Twenty-third day of
April, One thousand eight hundred and fifty,) in the thirteenth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said Ernst Werner Siemens, my exors, admors, and assigns, Her especial
license, full power, sole privilege and authority, that I, the said Ernst Werner
Siemens, my exors, admors, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Ernst
Werner Siemens, my exors, adiñors, or assigns, should at any time agree with,
and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term of
years therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, 'and
vend, within England, Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, and in
the Islands of Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, Sark, and Man, and also in all Her
said Majesty's Colonies and Plantations abroad (save and except the Provinces
of Canada, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick, and the Island of Prince
Edward in North America); my Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRIC
TELEGRAPHS;" in which said Letters Patent is contained a proviso, that I, the
said Ernst Werner Siemens, shall cause a particular description of the naturo
of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed; by an

page_text: instrument in writing under my hand and seal, to be inrolled in Her said
Majesty's High Court of Chancery within six calendar months next and imme-
diately after the date of the said in part recited Letters Patent, as in and by
the same, reference being thereunto had, will more fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
Ernst Werner Siemens, do hereby declare that the nature of my said Inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, are fully described
and ascertained in and by the following statement thereof, reference being had
to the Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the figures and letters marked
thereon, that to say:
My Invention relates to various improvements in telegraphic apparatus for
giving signals by means of electricity, and I will now proceed to describe the
same in detail, and under different heads.
Firstly, electro-magnets.-In constructing electro-magnets for telegraphic
purposes it has been found that when the iron employed is of large dimensions
the magnet requires a certain time to attain its full power, and also retains its
magnetism for some time after the contact is broken. To avoid this defect it
is usual to employ small masses of iron, and the power of the magnet is thus
reduced, although its rapidity of action is increased. I have succeeded in
overcoming these defects by employing hollow iron tubes cut open in a longi-
tudinal direction in place of the solid iron commonly employed. I have found
that I can thus employ comparatively large magnets and obtain great power
combined with great rapidity of action. This appears to be owing to tho
longitudinal separation effectually preventing the formation of circular currents
within the iron itself.
Figure 1, Sheet III., of the Drawings represents a side view, and Figure 2
a horizontal section, of a horse-shoe magnet constructed in this manner. A, A,
are the two branches or legs, each formed of a divided iron tube; these legs
aré encased with bobbins, on which the coils of wire are wound in the usual
'manner. B, B, B, B, are solid pieces of iron welded or otherwise fixed in the
iron tubes A, A. C is a solid piece of iron connecting the two legs. The
poles of the magnet are enlarged by attaching to them the pieces of iron D, D.
The iron tubes may be divided in two or more places, or a bundle of iron wires
insulated from one another may be employed; in either case the ends are
connected to solid pieces of iron to form the poles. I sometimes employ a
straight divided tube of soft iron in place of a horse-shoe magnet, and make
use of the attractive power of one pole only. The other pole is then placed
in contact with a large piece of soft iron, which serves as a reservoir of the
opposite and unemployed magnetism. By this means I obtain from a straight

page_text: magnet the same attractive force, or nearly so, as from a horse-shoe magnet
with the same quantity of wire. I provide the poles of my magnets with iron
plates of such dimensions that their weight is equal to about one-third of that
of the portion of the magnet which is immediately surrounded by the coils,
and I make the attracting surfaces of these plates about twice, and sometimes
even three times, the area of the iron rod or tube which forms the magnet.
These plates serve as reservoirs for the magnetism produced by the current,
and thereby increase the effective power of the magnet. In some cases I
employ, in place of an electro-magnet and a soft iron armature, two electro-
magnets, of which one is fixed and the other moveable. The moveable
magnet consists of a straight piece of iron, which is bent rectangularly at both
ends. Round the longer central part is placed the coil of wire, which, how-
ever, is not wound upon the magnet, but upon a bobbin, within which the
magnet turns freely upon its axis while the bobbin remains stationary. The
two bent portions form the poles of the magnet, and are placed in proximity
to another electro-magnet, or to a fixed soft iron armature. When a current
of electricity is passed through the coils, the moveable magnet turns on its axis
to a certain extent, which is limited by fixed stops. When two electro-
magnets are arranged in this manner, I obtain the advantage of their combin'd
power without the disadvantage of the great inertia which attends moveable
electro-magnets of the ordinary forms. In using these double magnets, I
either break and restore the currents of both magnets simultaneously, or cause
a constant current to pass through the coils of one magnet, and alternately
break and restore the current in the other, or I reverse alternately the direction
of the current in the last-named magnet. The part of the magnet within
the coil is made hollow, and cut open in a direction parallel with the axis, as
above described. Instead of the magnet being bent at the ends, and suspended so
as to turn upon its own axis, it may be straight, and suspended on a transverse
axis, as shewn in Figures 3 and 4, Sheet I. A is the straight electro-magnet,
which will have a tendency to place itself in the axis of the coil B when that
coil is traversed by an electric current; C is a horse-shoe electro-magnet,
covered with coils D, and having its two poles in proximity to the electro-
magnet A. If a current be passed through the coils D the magnet C will
cause the magnet A to deflect in one direction, and if the current is reversed
in the coils D the magnet A will deflect in the other direction. Figure 5 and
6 represent another form of this description of magnet, in which two pieces of
iron A and A' are included in the coil B, and mounted upon separate axes, or
loose upon the same axis, so as to move independently of one another. In
their position of rest they are kept in contact with the stops P and Q by means

page_text: of springs, or by gravity, or otherwise. When currents of electricity are passed
through the coils, one or other of the electro-magnets A, A', is deflected
against the stop R or S; on reversing the current it falls back to its original
position, and the other electro-magnet A¹ or A is deflected. This arrange-
ment has the advantage of preventing vibration, and rendering the movements
more decided.
Figure 7, Sheet I., represents an instrument in which A is the electro-
magnet, or two separate electro-magnets, as in Figures 5 and 6, turning on a
transverse axis in the coil B, which is continually traversed by an electric
current, thereby not only rendering A magnetic, but giving it a tendency to
place itself centrically in the axis of the coil B. This coil is surrounded by a
coil D, like the ordinary galvanometer coil, which deflects the electro-magnet
or electro-magnets A in one direction or in the other, according to the direc-
tion of the current passing round the coil D. The motions thus produced may
be applied to giving signals by moving an index or dial, or for removing
detents and ringing alarums, or for making contacts for local batteries, and
generally for telegraphic purposes.
Figures 8 and 9, Sheet I., represent an instrument in which an iron needle
A is surrounded by coils of wire B in the manner of a galvanometer: C is
a steel magnet, or an electro-magnet, the proximity of which renders A mag-
netic by induction, and this causes it to deflect like the needle of an ordinary
galvanometer when an electric current is passed through the coils D. This
instrument is not new, and I lay no claim to the employment of it except
when in combination with another similar or different instrument so arranged
that the action of the first makes or breaks the contact of the second, and the
action of the second reciprocally makes or breaks the contact of the first, as
herein-after described. This instrument may also be constructed with two
needles, like that shewn in Figures 5 and 6.
Although I have spoken of using iron in the construction of the magnets,
it is evident that other metals capable of receiving magnetism, such as nickel,
may be employed, but I consider iron to be the most advantageous.
Secondly, electro-dynamic arrangements.-In place of employing electro-
magnets I sometimes employ spirals of iron wire or band, the coils of which
are separated by intervening layers of non-conducting material, and I pass the
electric current through the spiral wire or band. Figures 3 and 4, Sheet III.,
show an arrangement of this sort. A is a spiral of iron wire covered with silk
and traversed by an electric current. This spiral is suspended on an axis S
parallel to the plane of the spiral. B, C, are two fixed spirals arranged so as
to be traversed in opposite directions by the electric current. The moveable

page_text: spiral will be attracted to one side or the other according to the direction of the
current which passes through it. The motion thus obtained may be applied
to giving signals by moving an index or dial, or for removing detents, or for
making contacts for local batteries, and generally for telegraphic purposes.
The last-described arrangements of spiral wires may also be constructed of
copper or other non-magnetic metal, but will not be so powerful as if made of
iron. When made of a non-magnetic metal they have, however, the ad-
vantage of acquiring and losing their power instantaneously when the current
is established or broken. These spirals may be appropriately designated as.
electro-dynamic arrangements.
These electro-dynamic arrangements may be varied in form, provided the
electro-dynamic principle be retained of causing one wire conducting an
electric current to produce motion in another wire also conducting an electric-
current. Thus, if a moveable wire be suspended above a fixed wire and at
right angles to it, and electric currents be then passed through both wires, the
moveable one will endeavour to place itself parallel to the fixed wire, and in
doing so will turn to the right or to the left, according to the direction of the
current.
Figure 10, Sheet I., represents an electro-dynamic spiral A suspended:
between the similar poles of two steel magnets N, S, N¹, S¹. A current
being passed through the spiral A will cause it to move towards one mag-
net, and on reversing the current it will move towards the other magnet.
When the current ceases the spiral will be brought to the central position of
rest by the action of gravity, or by a spring, or otherwise. In this Figure is.
shewn the method, of producing the electric current by induction from the-
same magnets which are employed to act upon the electro-dynamic spiral.
C, C, are two bobbins covered with coils of wire and connected together: by
the handle D: The coils of wire and the spiral A are all included in the
circuit of the line wire. By suddenly moving the handle D to the right.
or to the left an electric current is produced in the coils,' and passing through.
the spiral A and along the line wire, and through a similar apparatus at the
distant terminus and at each intermediate station, it produces similar motion
in the spirals at all the stations. Electricity thus obtained by the motion of
a coil over a magnet may be applied for deflecting needles or magnets, for
working electro-magnets, step-by-step motions, and printing apparatus, for
removing detents and ringing alarums, and for telegraphic purposes generally.
The form and, arrangement of the apparatus' may be varied by employing
curved or horse-shoe, magnets, or by fixing the coils and making the, magnet
moveable within them, and in various other ways.

page_text: Thirdly, conducting contact pieces.-In different descriptions of telegraphic
apparatus great inconvenience has been experienced in consequence of the
destruction of the metallic points of contact when the galvanic current is
alternately broken and restored, which circumstance has rendered the use of
transmitting instruments in particular very precarious. The metal often used
in making these points or surfaces of contact is platinum, which, through the
agency of the electric spark, is gradually removed from one point or surface
and settles on the opposite surface in the form of a spongy substance with
imperfect conducting power of electricity. Gold and silver give a still more
unfavorable result, and the baser or more oxidizable metals are burnt away.
I remove this difficulty by using hard alloys of the non-oxidizable or precious
metals, in particular of platinum, or iridium, or palladium, with gold or silver,
and of other combinations between those metals; an excellent alloy is made
of one part of gold with one part of platinum or palladium or iridium. Sur-
faces of contact which are formed of these metallic alloys preserve their
original form and metallic nature for a great length of time.
Fourthly, indicating instrument and alarm.-Figures 1 and 2, Sheet I.,
represent an instrument which conveys signals by means of an index pointing
to letters or symbols, and worked by a step-by-step motion. A is a ratchet
wheel, which carries the index B and also an arm M; a is a pall or click,
which prevents the ratchet wheel from turning backwards; b is another click,
attached to the lever C, which is fixed to the iron armature P of the electro-
magnet F, shewn in Figure 2; G and H are the two poles of magnet, which,
in attracting the armature P, cause it to turn on its axis c, and thus to give
motion to the lever C; an arm d is fixed to the armature, and a spring I is
connected at one end to this arm, and at the other end to a sliding stop e,
which is capable of being adjusted by means of the screw f and graduated
scale g.
Each time that an electric current is passed round the electro-
magnet the armature will be attracted, and the click b will move forward over
one tooth of the ratchet wheel. When the circuit is broken and the current
ceases, the spring I will bring back the lever C and click b, thus causing the
index to move one division. The ratchet wheel A carries a second set of ver-
tical pins or teeth into which the catch.h locks. This catch is fixed to the
lever C, and serves to prevent the ratchet wheel from overrunning. When
the lever C moves forward, the catch h unlocks the wheel, and as the lever
returns it locks the next tooth. There is, however, a possibility of the wheel
being flung round by the elasticity of the lever, before the catch h has time
to enter. This is prevented by the small screw or stud i, which confines the
tooth and prevents the wheel from overrunning. N is a lever, on which, is

page_text: fixed a cross plate k, turned up at each end, which may be called the fork.
This lever is moved backwards and forwards by being struck by two studs of
agate or other non-conducting substance on the lever C, and its motion is
confined and limited by the non-conducting stud and the metallic point m,
both of which are capable of being adjusted and fixed by t. e screws l', m³, and
the set screws 12, m². A slight spring n is attached to the lever N, and is
confined to a very small amount of motion by a small projection or hook n³,
attached to the piece k; this prevents the contact being broken by any slight
rebound of the lever. The end of the lever N is thin and elastic, and carries
an obtuse-pointed steel pin o, which rests upon a prism or angular piece of
agate p. By this arrangement the lever N is retained in its position, whether
it is in contact with the stud / or the point m. If one pole of a galvanic
battery be now connected to the bearing N¹, which supports the lever N, and
the wire from the other pole be connected to the coils of the electro-magnet
and then attached to the support of the point m, the consequence will be that
the armature P will be attracted, and the lever C will move forward until it
strikes the piece k, and thus moves the lever N forward, and by that means.
breaks the contact at the point m. The contact being thus broken, the
electro-magnet loses its magnetism, and the lever C is drawn back by the
spring I, and the ratchet wheel advances one tooth. The contact is now
restored by the lever C striking the fork k and shifting the lever N, when the
armature is again attracted, and the various motions are repeated.
The ratchet wheel is thus caused to revolve with rapidity, the index point-
ing to all the letters in succession as long as the connexion with the battery is.
maintained. If the wire from the point m, instead of being connected at.
once to the battery, is carried along as a line wire through a.similar instrument
at a distant station and thence into the earth, and a wire is connected from
the earth to the pole of the battery, the consequence will be that both instru-
ments will work in unison, and the index at the distant station will point to.
the same letter simultaneously with the first instrument. A set of keys are
arranged round the dial, a portion of which is shewn in Figure 1, and shewn
in section in Figure 2. Each key is connected to a pin O, which descends.
when the key is pressed and stands in the way of the arm M. As soon as
this arm arrives at the pin O its motion is arrested, and the pins are so
placed that the arm is stopped whilst the lever C is returning towards the
position shewn in the Drawing. By this means the contact with the pin m is
prevented from restoring itself, and therefore the index and ratchet wheel
stop in both instruments, and the signal is given by the stopping of the index
opposite the letter or symbol. On releasing the key, the pin rises and the

page_text: lever C falls back and restores the contact, and the motion of the ratchet wheel
is resumed. If, owing to loss of electricity in the line wire, or from any other
cause, one of the instruments be traversed by a current of greater power than
the other, still this does not prevent the proper action of the instruments, as it
is evident that neither of the electro-magnets can be brought into action until
the contact has been restored in both instruments, so that the most 'lively
instrument will always wait for the other to complete its stroke before be-
ginning another stroke. If one instrument is acted on by a very much more
powerful current than the other the springs should be adjusted so as to
reduce the resistance to the notion of 'the instrument worked by the weaker
current. It is evident that similar instruments may be placed at the inter-
mediate stations and traversed by the same currents.
Alarum or bell apparatus.-Q, Q', are the two poles of an electro-magnet;
and R is the armature, turning on the centres r, and carrying the lever
S and the long arm T, at the end of which is the hammer T', for striking
the bell U. The arm T is pulled back by the spring V, which is adjusted
by the screw v. The lever S carries two small studs of ivory, or oth
non-conducting material, which striking against the sides of the fork W,
bring it alternately into contact with the metallic point X, or with the non-
conducting stud Y. The electric circuit is completed through the point X,
and the fork W, and a small spring w, similar to that marked n. The fork W
turns on the pin t; and is provided with a small screw s, which presses upon a
little spring v.
This spring produces sufficient friction to retain the fork in
the position into which it is thrown when struck by the lever S, but not
sufficient to prevent its motion when so struck. When a current of electricity
passes round the electro-magnet Q, Q, the armature R is attracted, and the
hammer strikes a blow upon the bell U. At the same time the fork W is
thrown against the stud Y, and the contact is broken at the point X. The
armature is then drawn back by the spring V, and the fork is thrown against
the point X. Z is a lever turning upon the centre 2, and capable of being
moved by hand, so as to place it in contact either with the metallic spring 1,
or the opposite one 2. The lever Z is in connection with the binding screw E,
which is placed in communication with the earth. The spring 2 is connected
to a wire, which connects it' with the coils of the alaṛum magnet, from whence a
connection is made to the line wire by the binding screw L. The spring 1 is
placed in connection with the zinc pole of a galvanic battery, and the copper
pole of the same battery is connected to the screw C¹, from which a connection
is made to the coils of the electro-magnet F, and thence to the line wire
through the binding screw L. The line wire passes along to the first inter-

page_text: mediate station, where it is connected to the screw E of the instrument at that
station. A wire from the screw L of that station then passes along to the
next intermediate station, and so on, until it arrives at the distant terminus,
where it is connected to the screw E of the instrument at that terminus, while
the screw L at that 'terminus is connected to the earth. At each station a
battery is connected to the screws Z' and C¹, so that its zinc pole may be in
connection with the screw Z', and its copper pole with the screw C¹. The
levers Z of all the instruments being moved towards the letter R, all the
instruments will be in repose, and all the alarums will be included in the
circuit, while the indicating instruments and the batteries are excluded. If
now the lever Z of one of the instruments is moved over towards T, the effect
will be to introduce into the circuit the battery and the indicating instrument
at that station, which may be called the active station, whilst the alarum at
that station is excluded, the other alarums remaining in the circuit. The
current now passes along the line, and produces magnetism in the electro-
magnet of the indicating instrument at the active-station, and in- the alarum
magnets at all the other or passive stations. The consequence is that the
hammers strike the bells in all the passive stations, and the indicating instru-
ment at the active station would also be set in motion were it not prevented
by the following contrivance. The springs of the alarum armatures are
adjusted so as to be much weaker than those of the indicating instrument, and
the consequence is that the alarum armature is attracted, makes a stroke, and
breaks the contact before the armature of the indicating instrument has over-
come the 'resistance of its spring. The alarums are thus rung without the
index of the indicating instrument being set in motion.
The attention of the attendants at the passive stations being thus called,
they move their levers Z towards the letter T. As soon as the last lever Z
has been placed in that position, and the last ȧlarum thus excluded, the
current will acquire sufficient duration to cause the attraction of the-armatures
of the indicating instruments, which will then all start off together, and the
signals may then be given by depressing the keys, as already described.
If it be wished to exclude any station from the circuit for a time, it is done
by connecting the screws E-and L, either by a wire, or by a finger-key or
button, as is well-understood. In this case care should be taken that the
index is brought to its proper position of repose before the instrument is
re-introduced into the circuit, otherwise on recommencing a new signal its
indications would not correspond with those of the other instruments. 3 is a
small button acting on the bent lever:4, by means of which the instrument can
be worked by hand, so as to bring the index into any required position.

page_text: Fifthly, printing telegraph.-Figure 1, Sheet II., represents a plan, and
Figure 2 a section, of a printing telegraph working by a step-by-step motion.
A, A¹, are the poles of an electro-magnet A; B is the armature, turning on
the centre b, and carrying the long lever C, which carries a click c and locking
piece d, similar to those in the indicating instrument already described. Dis
the ratchet wheel; and e is a click, kept up by the spring F. The ratchet
wheel D carries a type wheel I, which consists of a number of thin springs,
each carrying a type at its extremity, except one or more which are left blank.
These types and blanks correspond with the letters or signs and blanks on the
dial of the indicating instrument already described; and it will be readily
understood that if both instruments are included in the same circuit they will
march together, and the dial of the printing instrument will simultaneously
present similar letters or signals to those pointed to by the needle of the indi-
cating instrument. For this purpose the printing instrument is provided with
a lever E, and a fork g, spring h, and contact point F. The motion of the
lever C breaks and makes contact with the point F, as in the indicating
instrument. The printing instrument, however, is provided with an additional
bent lever G, which is capable of forming contact with the metallic point H
on one side, and is provided with an insulating stud on the other side, where
it is struck by the fork g. The long lever C also carries a metallic point i,
which is in contact with the fork g when the instrument is in repose. A wire
from one pole of the battery, for example, from the copper pole, is connected
to the metallic point F, from which the electricity passes into the lever E, and
thence round the coils on the electro-magnet A³, and then passes through the
indicating instrument above described, and along the line to the instrument at
the distant station. Another wire passes from the zinc pole of the battery
into the earth. The track of the current of electricity is shewn by the blue
line. This is all that is required to move the type wheel I; but as it is neces-
sary to strike the type to produce an impression on the paper, the following
parts are added for that purpose:-K, Figure 2, is an electro-magnet, and L
is its armature. This magnet is made of solid iron, and its armature is much
heavier than that which works the type wheel. M is a lever or hammer fixed
to the armature, and adjusted so that it may strike the back of the type spring
when the armature is attracted by the magnet; m is a spring attached to a
lever N on the axis n of the armature, for the purpose of drawing it away
from the magnet. A conducting connection is made between the axis of the
lever C and the metallic point H, and also from the bent lever G round the
coils of the hammer magnet, and thence to the zinc end of the battery; but it
will be found advantageous not to connect this wire to the extreme end of the

page_text: battery, but to some intermediate point, so that only a portion of the battery
may be included in this circuit, which is indicated by the red line. The lever
E. is provided with a steel point and agate. prism o, for the purpose of main-
taining its position. The bent lever G is also provided with a similar steel
point and agate prism p.
The action of the apparatus is as follows:-The indicating and printing
instruments being both included in the circuit, the current passes from the
copper pole of the battery through the point and fork g to the coils of
the magnet A, and thence through the coils of the magnet, which works the
lever of the indicating instrument along the line wire and through similar
instruments, and a battery at the distant terminus, and then into the earth,
returning to the wire which leads from the earth to the zinc pole of the first
battery. The consequence will be that all the armatures which work the
ratchets will be attracted, and will move their respective levers and clicks
forward, so as to take hold of the next tooth in their respective ratchet
wheels; at the same time the ratchet levers will strike the forks and break
the contact, when they will be drawn back by their respective springs,
and neither can advance again until all have returned; when the forks
will be again thrown into contact with the metallic points, and the circuit
being thus completed, all the armatures will be again attracted and make a
fresh stroke, and the needles and type wheels will thus all march in unison
and with great rapidity. If now one of the keys in either of the indicating
instruments be depressed the needle will stop on arriving at the corresponding
letter, and the circuit being thus broken, all the other armatures will fall back
and remain stationary. The current will now pass along the course indicated
by the red line, and passing round the coils of the hammer magnet will cause
its armature to be attracted, and a blow struck on the type which is then
opposite the hammer. As the hammer strikes the blow it also strikes the
bent lever O, which moves the lever G, and thus breaks the contact at H; the
hammer magnet immediately loses its magnetism and the hammer falls back.
If the key which has been depressed is now liberated the ratchet lever of that
instrument will fall back, and the contact being thus renewed, all the instru-
ments will start off again and continue their simultaneous movements until
again stopped in a similar manner. The first stroke of the ratchet lever C
restores the contact between the bent lever G and point H. It will be seen
that every time the ratchet lever C falls back it renews the circuit of the
hammer magnet, but as the ratchet lever immediately starts off again and
breaks this contact at i, there is not time for the comparatively heavy and
sluggish hammer magnet and armature to come into action. When, however,

page_text: the current round the magnet becomes continuous by the breaking of the
line circuit in the indicating instrument the .hammer magnet has time to
-cquire sufficient power to attract its armature and to strike the blow.
The printing is effected by means of the cylinder Q, Figures 3 and 4,
made of a number of discs of paper placed on a spindle q, and strongly
compressed by a powerful press, and confined by a metallic disc or flange rat
each end. The cylinder thus formed is turned in a lathe, and is covered with
an ink formed of oil and lamp black. A strip of paper is passed under the
ink cylinder and guided by the two small rollers R, R. The ink is of a
sufficiently dry nature not to black the paper by the mere contact, but when
the paper is forcibly driven against the cylinder by the blow of the hammer
under the type the letter is printed on the side of the paper in contact with
the ink cylinder. A ratchet wheel S, Figure 2, is fixed on the spindle
and is worked by a click T on the lever t, which is moved by means of a
connecting rod u, Figure 4, jointed to a lever on the axis n of the hammer
armature. U, Figure 2, is a toothed wheel, which is locked by the pallet V
on the lever t.
It will thus be seen that the ink cylinder is advanced one
tooth each time that the hammer returns after striking a blow. The paper
is thus advanced the width of one letter, so as to present a fresh portion of
paper and of ink cylinder for the next impression. Two blank spaces are left in
the indicating dial and two corresponding blanks on the type wheel. When
the blow of the hammer is struck on one of these blanks it finds no resistance
from the type, and therefore rises rather higher than when striking a type.
The consequence is, that the lever W, which is fixed to the armature, strikes
against the screw u in the arm of the bent lever w, and by raising its horizontal
arm w¹ throws its vertical arm against the bell X. The operator in spelling
the words of the signal brings up the blank after each word, and the stroke
of the bell at once tells him that the instruments are working correctly. If
by any accident the indicating and printing instruments should not correspond
in their indications, the error is immediately detected by the bell remaining
silent. when the blank keys are depressed.
The ink cylinder Q is capable of sliding endways on its shaft q, which is
made hollow, and has a slot q¹ cut in it. Inside this shaft is a long fine
threaded screw q, which is fixed to the support Y. On this screw is a nut x,
Figure 4, which is connected to the ink cylinder by. a feather passing through
the slot q'. By this means the ink cylinder Q gradually travels along the
shaft q, so that every part of it is brought into use. When after continued
use the impression becomes faint, the roller may be again charged with ink by
dabbing it with a leather ball covered with ink.

page_text: This arrangement of printing apparatus preserves the types clean, as they
never come in contact with the ink. Similar printing apparatus may be
placed at the intermediate stations.
Instead of including in the same circuit the indicating and printing appa-
ratus at both stations, it is advantageous when there are two line wires to
connect the indicating apparatus at each end with the printing apparatus at
the opposite end, as by this means two distinct signals may be passing in
opposite directions at the same time. When there is only one line wire,
signals may be sent from an intermediate station in one direction while signals
are received at the same station from the other direction.
a
In some cases it may be advantageous to employ printing apparatus by
itself, so as to avoid the expense of two apparatus. In this case. I construct
the printing apparatus with a set of keys which serve to stop an arm attached
to the spindle of the ratchet wheel, in the same manner as above described with
regard to the indicating apparatus. The stoppage of this arm will have the
effect of breaking the circuit, and causing the letter to be printed at the distant
terminus, and at all the intermediate stations which may be included in the
circuit. The instrument may be rendered more convenient for use by
arranging the keys in a semicircle instead of in a circle. The ratchet spindle
other; one of these
is then provided with two arms placed opposite to each
arms is shorter than the other, and is placed a little lower or higher on the
spindle, and half the keys are made to act on the one arm and half on the
other. The keys may be conveniently made like the black and white keys of
a pianoforte, every alternate key being shorter and higher than the others. The
long white keys may then serve for the first half of the alphabet and the short
black keys for the last half of the alphabet. The dials, type wheels, and
keys of the printing and indicating instruments, above described, may repre-
sent numbers or symbols instead of letters, or a conventional code of signals
may be employed, as is well understood.
Sixthly, transmitting apparatus with reciprocal action.-When the line wire
is very long, or otherwise presents great resistance, I find it advantageous to
work the above-described apparatus by a local or secondary battery, and to
employ the current which traverses the line wire to work a transmitting appa-
ratus, which makes and breaks the contact of the local battery. The motion
of the lever of the step-by-step motion breaks and makes the contact of the
transmitting apparatus. By this reciprocal breaking and making of contact
the apparatus is enabled to work with great rapidity, although the current in
the line wire may be very weak. I apply this arrangement to the printing
apparatus above described, and also to the indicating apparatus above

page_text: described, and to both these apparatus in combination; I also apply it to the
alarum, whether such alarum be altogether separate or combined with the
indicating or printing apparatus, or with both those apparatus.
made in a great variety of ways.
5 and 6 are the poles of an electro-
top of the box; 8 is the armature,
The transmitting apparatus may be
Figure 1, Sheet I., shows one form of it.
magnet, the legs of which are below the
turning upon the centre 9, and kept in contact with the stop 10 by the spring
11, which is adjusted by the screw 12. The armature carries a small contact
piece of metal 13, which is brought against the metallic point 14 when the
armature is attracted by the electro-magnet. The armature 8 and point 14
form part of the circuit of the local battery, so that the passage of an electric
current along the line wire and round the coils of the electro-magnet 5 and 6
effects the completion of the circuit of the local battery by making contact at 14.
I will now proceed to describe the course of the currents of the principal
and local batteries, which are of course different from that of the current
when the transmitting instrument is not employed. 15 and 16 are two addi-
tional springs, and a short additional lever 17, shown by the dotted lines, is
placed under the lever Z, which gives motion to it by means of an ivory or
other non-conducting pin 18, so that the two levers move together, but are not
in metallic contact. The lever Z is connected to the earth through the screw E;
the spring 2 is connected by a wire with the metallic point ✗, and another
wire connects the support of the fork W with the coils of the magnet 5 and 6
of the transmitting instrument, from which it passes to the screw L and along
the line. 19 is a galvanometer, which may be advantageously introduced in
the circuit to show the strength of the current. The spring 1 is connected to
the zinc pole of the battery, and the copper pole is connected to the screw C¹,
from which the current passes to the point m, through the lever N and the
support N¹, and thence into the wire which leads to the coils of the trans-
mitting instrument. The zinc pole of the local battery is connected to the
screw Z³, and the copper pole is connected to the screw C³, from which a
wire proceeds to the short lever 17. A wire proceeds from the spring 16
to the coils of the alarum magnet Q, and thence to the metallic point 14.
The piece 9, which supports the spindle of the armature 8, is connected to the
screw Z³, thus completing the circuit of the local battery. The spring 15 is
connected by, a wire to the screw P, from which a wire proceeds to the coils
of the magnet, which works the ratchet wheel, and then joins the wire leading
to the point 14. The line wire from L passes to the screw E of the instru
ment at the next station, and again from the screw L of that instrument to
the next station, and so on, until it reaches the screw E in the instrument at

page_text: the distant terminus. A wire proceeds from the screw L of this instrument
to the earth. The lever Z of all the instruments being moved towards the
letter R, all the instruments will be at rest. If now the lever Z of the instru-
ment at one of the stations be moved towards the letter T, the battery will be
introduced into the circuit of the line wire, and the armatures of all the trans-
mitting instruments will be attracted, and thus contact will be made at the
points 14. The local battery at each station will thus be brought into action,
and a current of electricity will pass through the coils of the magnet G and H
at the active station, and through the coils of the alarum magnets at all the
other stations. The armatures of the alarum magnets will be immediately.
attracted and the bells will be struck, and the forks W being driven forward
will break the contact at x, thus destroying the continuity of the line wire. The
armatures of the transmitting instruments will then immediately fall back and
break the continuity of the circuit of the local battery at 14, when the arma-
tutes of the alarum magnets will fall back and restore the continuity of the line.
wire, when the armature of the transmitting instrument will be again attracted,
and so on.
The alarum will thus continue to ring. The spring of the arma-
ture of the indicating instrument being much stronger than that of the
alarum, will prevent the indicating instrument from moving while the alarums
are in the circuit.
As
The attention of the various attendants having been called by the alarums,
they move the levers Z of their respective instruments towards the letter T.
When all the levers are in this position the currents of the local batteries will
be directed round the magnets G and H of the indicating instruments, which
will then attract their respective armatures and advance the levers C.
these levers approach the end of their stroke they shift the forks N, and thus
break the continuity of the line wire. The armatures of the transmitting
instruments now fall back, and in so doing break the continuity of the circuit
of the local battery; the armatures of the magnets of the indicating instru-
ments then fall back and the ratchet wheels are advanced one tooth.
The
contact is then restored at m, and the current again traverses the line wire and
transmitting instruments and the instruments commence another stroke. All
these motions succeed each other with great rapidity, and the instrument is
worked by depressing the keys in the same way as when the transmitting
instrument is not employed.
When a printing instrument like that above described is required to work
with the indicating instrument it is only necessary to connect the wire from
the screw P to the coils of the type wheel magnet and thence to the spring 15;
the type wheel will then march in unison with the index of the indicating.

page_text: instrument; the circuit of the hammer magnet will include another local
battery, or will be connected with the same local battery, so as to include only a
part of it. In place of employing two local batteries and one principal battery,
it is generally more convenient to employ one battery of several pairs and to
connect the whole of it to the principal circuit, and only a portion of it to the
local circuits. By this means the whole power of the battery will be trans-
mitted through the circuit of the line wire to act upon the transmitting instru-
ments, and as soon as their armatures are attracted a portion of the power of
the battery will be diverted into the circuit of the electro-magnets which work
the ratchet wheels of the indicating and printing instruments. The remaining
portion of the current which still traverses the line wire is sufficient to. retain
the armatures of the transmitting magnets. When the. instruments are
stopped, by depressing one of the finger keys, the line circuit is broken, the
armature of the transmitting instrument falls back and breaks the circuit of
the electro-magnets which work the ratchet wheels, and on their armatures
falling back the circuit of the hammer magnet is completed, and a continuous
current of electricity from the part or the whole of the battery passes round
the hamner magnet and causes the blow to be struck.
The form and construction of the transmitting instrument may be greatly
varied. Instead of using an electro-magnet and armature, two electro-magnets
may be employed, or an electro-magnet and a steel magnet, or a magnet and
a coil, or two or more coils, or spirals or various other combinations. Thus
the apparatus shewn in Figures 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, Sheet I., may all be
employed for this purpose.
I wish it to be understood that I do not claim generally the use of a trans-
mitting instrument for completing the circuit of a local battery but only when
such instrument is connected with a self-acting telegraphic instrument, so that
the circuit of each instrument is made and broken by the action of the other
instrument. This reciprocal action of the two instruments enables me to work
self-acting telegraphic apparatus with great rapidity by means of a local
battery, or by a separate circuit from the same battery which is connected with
the line wire.
Seventhly, alarums.-In constructing alarums, I employ self-acting instru-
ments, made on the same principal as the indicating and printing instruments
above described. The oscillating lever, which is worked by the electro-
magnet, carries, in place of a click, a hammer, which strikes a rapid succes-
sion of blows upon a bell. These alarums may be worked directly by the
currents traversing the line wire, or indirectly by means of the transmitting
instrument, with reciprocal action, as already described. They may also be

page_text: worked by means of a transmitting instrument without reciprocal action. An
arrangement of this sort is shewn in Figures 5, 6, and 7, Sheet III. A is an
electro-magnet, with its armature. B, which is kept away from the magnet by
the spring C, and rests against a stop D; a metallic contact piece E is
placed almost, but not quite, in contact with another contact piece on the
armature. This forms the transmitting instrument, the armature B and
contact piece E being included in the circuit of a local battery, which circuit is
completed by the slight motion of the armature towards the magnet producing
contact at E. F, F, are the two pobs of an electro-magnet; G and H is
its armature, turning on the centre I. This armature carries the hammer J,
which strikes the bell K when the armature is attracted by the magnet.
The armature also carries an arm L, provided with the two ivory studs,
which strike against the fork M and shift it backwards and forwards.
This fork, with its springs and contact piece, is similar to that already
described in reference to Figures 1 and 2, Sheet I. When at rest, the fork
is in contact with the metallic point N; one of the wires of the local battery
is connected to the contact piece E, and the other wire is connected to the
coils of the magnet G, and thence to the point N. The fork M is in commu-
nication with the armature B. This instrument may be used with great
advantage at intermediate stations, to inform them of the conclusion of a.
communication which has taken place between two stations on opposite sides
of the intermediate station, and to warn the attendant at the intermediate
station to introduce his indicating or printing instrument into the circuit. For
this purpose the coils of the magnet A are introduced into the circuit of the
line wire whenever the signalling instrument is withdrawn, and the spring C
is so adjusted that the armature B is not put in motion by the short inter-
mittent currents which work the signalling apparatus at the two stations, which
are in communication with each other. When the operators at those stations
have completed their communication, they both depress a button provided for
that purpose in their respective instruments, by which their instruments are
excluded from the circuit and their batteries are brought into the circuit of
the line wire, so as to send a continuous current of electricity through the line
wire and through the coils of the magnet A at each of the intermediate
stations. The effect of this continuous current will be to attract the arma-
ture B and keep it in contact with the piece E as long as the current passes.
The circuit of the local battery is thus completed, and the armature H is
attracted and a blow.struck on the bell K: At the same time the motion of
the arm L drives the fork M away from the point N, and thus breaks tho
circuit of the local battery, and the hammer falls back from the liell. The

page_text: fork is now thrown against the pin N, and the contact restored, when the
armature H is again attracted, and the bell thus continues to ring at each
intermediate station as long as the before-mentioned buttons are depressed.
The attention of any particular station may be called by means a previously
arranged code of signals; thus, ringing once for a short time may serve for
one station; ringing twice in succession for another; ringing once for a short
space of time and once for a longer space of time may serve for another station,
and so on.
By this means a code of audible signals may be employed in place
of a code of visible signals.
Figure 7 represents a front view of the commutator, by means of which the
above-described alarms and the indicating or printing instruments are intro-
duced and removed from the circuit. s, t, are the line wires passing in either
direction from the intermediate station. These wires are respectively in con-
nection with the springs g, h, which are capable of moving between the pieces
i, k, and the pins m, n, which are all made of metal. A lever a turns on the
centre 6 and carries a piece of ebony or other nonconducting substance f, of
the form shewn in the Drawing. The end c of the lever a may be brought in
contact with the spring d, or may be depressed so as to bring the longest
diameter of the piece f into a vertical position. The ends of the coils of the
magnet A, Figure 5, are connected to the pins m and n, so that when the lever
a is depressed the course of the current is from the line wires through the
spring g and pin m to the coils of the magnet A, and thence to the pin n,
spring h, and line wire t. The piece i is in connection with an indicating or
printing instrument and battery, from which a connection is made to the screw
1, which is in connection with the lever a. The piece is connected to a
similar instrument and battery, from which a connection is also made to the
screw . Lastly, the spring d is connected to the earth through the screw e.
If the lever a be now placed in the position shewn in the Drawing, the springs
g and h will leave the pins m and n and come in contact with the pieces i and
k. The circuit is now through the line wire s, spring g, and piece i into one
telegraphic instrument, and thence through the screw 1, lever a, and spring d
to the earth, and back to the station from which the line wire s proceeds.
Another circuit is formed by the line wire t, spring h, and piece k, with the
other telegraphic instrument, through the screw Z, lever a, and spring d to the
earth, and back to the station from which the line wire t proceeds, The
intermediate station is thus converted into a terminal station for both line
wires s and t, and has the power of communicating with the stations in each
direction independently. If it be required to exhibit at the intermediate
station signals which are passing between two other stations, it may be effected

page_text: by depressing the lever a a little from the position shewn in the Drawing, and
thus breaking the connection between the screw and the earth, when the
current will pass through and exhibit signals at both the instruments at the
intermediate station.
o
In Figure 4, Sheet I., is shewn a method of signalling by means of audible
signals, which may also shew visible signals at the same time, if desired. To
the iron piece A is attached a small hammer, which strikes against the bells E
and F, which produce two very different sounds. The direction in which
the piece of iron A in moving is very distinctly indicated by the tone of
the bell.
Eighthly, combinations of line wires.-Hitherto, for each telegraphic line of
communication, at least one line wire has been required, and the earth is
generally used to complete the circuit. When more than one line wire is
established between two stations, I am enabled with my instruments to work
as. many telegraphic instruments are there are pairs of different lines to be
made, counting the earth as one line. Thus with two wires, which with the
earth give three lines of communication, I am enabled to work three instru-
ments; with three wires I work six instruments, and so on.
Figure 11, Sheet III., is a diagram of the mode in which three wires A, B,
and C, are connected with each other and with the earth for working six
instruments at each end of the line, which are represented by the small circles.
The circuits thus obtained are A E, BE, CE, A B, A C, and B C. This
arrangement of the line wires cannot be adopted with all descriptions of
telegraphic instruments, but only with those whose efficient working is not
prevented by a considerable and irregular increase and decrease of the strength
of the current. Each instrument should be provided with a separate battery,
and it is further necessary to include within the circuit, together with each
battery, something to cause a strong resistance to the electric current, for the
purpose of decreasing its irregularity.
Ninthly, instrument for giving signals by a succession of elementary
signals. Another part of my Invention consists in an improved arrangement
of needle telegraphs and chemical telegraphs, and generally of those tele-
graphs in which letters and signals are given by a succession of two or more
conventional signs.
Hitherto great skill has been required to work these telegraphs by hand
with the maximum degree of rapidity and certainty of which they are capable
. I have rendered that skill on the part of the operator and the uncertainty
attending it unnecessary by the introduction of keys, which are marked with
the letters of the alphabet, and which require simply to be pressed down in
2)

page_text: order to produce the combination of elementary signs which are understood by
the receiver of the message at the distant station.
Figure 8, Sheet III., represents a plan, Figure 9 a side view, and Figure
10 a section, of my apparatus. It consists of a series of keys A, B, C, &c.,
and as many pairs of springs a, a', b, b, c, c', &c., each pair being capable of
being raised when the corresponding key is depressed. That part of the key
which comes in contact with the springs is of ivory or other nonconducting
material. The two springs, which form a pair, are fixed upon separate
metallic bars 1 and 2, which connect the springs a, b, c, &c., to the earth,
and the springs a¹, b, c, &c., to the line wire. The height to which
the springs can be raised is limited by a bar 3 of wood or other non-
conducting materials. A metallic bar 4 is fixed parallel to this bar, and
is connected to one, say the positive pole of a galvanic battery. This bar
carries as many perpendicular metallic screws a², a³, 1³, b³, c², c, &c., as
there are springs a, a, b, b, c, c¹, &c., so that, by pressing down any one key,
a connection is made from one pole of the battery to both the earth and the
line wire. The places of contact between the springs and screws are formed
of the metallic alloys already described. A metallic cylinder 5 is mounted on
an axis, and carries a series of metallic pins in its periphery, which, when the
cylinder revolves, depress during short intervals of time the one or the other of
a pair of springs which are raised by the pressing down of one key. The
cylinder 5 is connected to the opposite or negative pole of the battery, and
when by its revolution it depresses the spring b, the contact between that spring
and its screw 62 is broken, and a circuit is established from the positive pole of
the battery through the spring 6, the wire line, and the receiving instrument
at the distant station into the earth, thus causing an elementary signal to be
given, and from the earth through the spring b and the cylinder 5 to the
negative pole of the battery. If in place of depressing the spring 6 the spring
is depressed the current will pass through the line wire in the opposite
direction, and thus an elementary signal of an opposite description is produced
at the receiving instrument. The cylinder 5 receives it rotary motion by
means of clockwork, which is regulated by a fly or by a dise of iron rotating
before the poles of a horse-shoe magnet. Instead of clockwork an electro-
magnetic machine may be used for this purpose, which may at the same time
serve to produce magneto-electric currents by induction, which are sent
through the line wire in place of the current from a battery. The axis of
the cylinder 5 carries on one end an arm 6, Figure 9, which is bent back-
wards in the form of a hook at 7; when the instrument is in repose, this hook
rests against a stop 8 on the lever 9, the end of which is made to bear upon

page_text: the lever 10 on the axis 11 by means of the spring 12. The lever 10 rests
against a pin 13. On this axis are fixed two or more arms 14, shewn by the
dotted lines, and more clearly shewn in Figure 10. These arms carry a bar
15, which extends from one end of the instrument to the other, so that the
depressing of any one of the keys depresses the bar 15, raises the lever 10,
and depresses the stop 8 and releases the cylinder 5, which immediately
revolves in the direction of the arrow. When it has nearly completed a revo-
lution the hook on the arm 6 is arrested by the stop 16 on. the lever 9. By
the revolution of the cylinder a succession of contacts will have been made
between the pins on the cylinder and one or both of those two springs which
have been brought into action by depressing the key, and thus a certain suc-
cession of elementary signals of the same or opposite descriptions will have
been produced in the receiving instrument at the distant station, which suc-
cession of elementary signals may represent the letter marked on the key
which has been depressed. On releasing the key, the stop 16 on the lever 9
is raised by the action of the spring 12, and the arm 6 moves forward through
a short space when it is arrested by the stop 8, against which it rests until
another key is pressed down. In order to produce currents of longer duration
by this instrument I fix upon the cylinder several pins in close succession, or
one broad pin. The receiving instrument at the same station is included in
the circuit and gives the same indications as the one at the distant station.
The pin 13 is of metal and is connected to the bar 2, whilst the lever 10,
which is also of metal, is connected to the bar 1. The line wire is thus placed
in direct communication with the earth when the instrument is at rest, and the
receiving instruments remain included in the circuit. The circuit is thus
always in readiness to receive a communication from another station. It
will be readily seen that, instead of producing the signals by means of two
springs and one cylinder with pins, two cylinders may be employed with
one spring for each key. If currents in only one direction are required, one
cylinder and one spring. to each key are sufficient, a cylinder with insulated
pins may be used, in which case the springs are placed close to it, so as
to be depressed by the pins and thereby brought into contact with the end
of the depressed key, which is then made of metal and connected with one
of the poles of the battery. The cylinder may also be provided with more
than one arresting lever, and be so arranged that the signals composing a
letter may be produced by only a part of a revolution of the cylinder.
Tenthly, underground line wire.-In cases where coated line wire has been
used hitherto for telegraphic purposes, it has been either suspended in the air
(as in passing through tunnels); or it has been enclosed in lead or iron tube

page_text: and laid either above or under the surface of the ground, or lastly, it has been
laid without any metallic protection in open trenches, which were made and
afterwards filled with earth in the usual manner. The difficulty of insulating
underground wires and other reasons have led to the extensive adoption of
the practise of suspending the line wires in the air. The introduction into
commerce of the substance called gutta percha has, however, of late given
great facilities for the insulation of underground wire, by employing a wire
coated with that substance. Still, the expence of laying such wire in the
ground, together with defects in the insulation arising from flaws in the
coating and other causes, have hitherto restricted its use in this country,
although it possesses considerable advantages in some respects, particularly as
regards its being almost entirely free from the derangements caused in sus-
pended line wires by lightening and atmospheric electricity.
The object of this part of my Invention is to remove the various difficulties in
the way of employing underground line wire. My improvements in imbedding
coated line wire in the ground, consists in the application of certain imple-
ments for that purpose, which are forced through the ground by means of
steam or animal power, whereby a considerable saving of manual labor is
effected.
Figure 1, Sheet IV., shews an elevation, and Figure 2 a plan of an instru-
ment partaking of the nature of a mole plough, which I make use of for this
purpose. It consists of a strong frame a, a coulter or cutter 6, and the
principal hollow cutter or mole c, which works in a guide d in the frame a, and
may be raised or lowered into the ground by turning the wheel e of an upright
screw which is supported in a standard frame. On the frame a are fixed
brackets ff, ff, which support the rollers g; g, on which is wound the coated
wire which is to be deposited in the ground. The frame a is supported in
front by a pair of wheels h, h, the axis of which is fixed to the frame by a
swivel joint, and in the rear by a pair of wheels i, i, which may be adjusted in
height individually by means of screws k, k. A tail 7 is provided for the
purpose of directing the instrument through the ground. The mole c is com-
posed of two plates of wrought iron or steel, which are rivetted together with
intervening strips of metal as indicated by the dotted lines in Figure 1, which
form separate guides for the coated wires into the earth. The front edge of
the mole blade is made angular, and the mole itself has a shoe of steel
or chilled cast iron m to facilitate its passage through the ground. In
order to diminish the friction of the wires in the mole, small rollers at
its mouth and between its sides may be provided. This instrument is used in
the following manner:-As many separate wires as are intended to be laid

page_text: down are threaded through the guides in the mole. A hole is made
in the ground at the commencement of the line to receive the mole, and
the ends of the wires are fastened to a post or otherwise. The instru-
ment is then drawn forward by means of crabs, which are fixed at some
distance and which may be worked either by animal power or by a portable
steam engine; or if the ground is of a loose description, the plough may be
drawn along by horses or oxen without the aid of fixed machinery. The
draught chain or rope is attached to the hook n, which is freely suspended
from the frame a, and transfers the power to the mole itself. If the ground
is bard I make use of a common double plough to precede the instrument
just described, or I loosen the ground by merely cutting through it with
a deep coulter, as shewn in Figure 4. Another plan is to cut a trench
of half the required depth, and then to pass the mole plough along at the
proper depth.
In depositing line wire in the ground along railways I prefer to employ the
power of a locomotive engine. A strong beam p, Figures 3 and 4, Sheet IV.,
is fastened across the engine frame. To the end of this beam, which projects
beyond the ends of the sleepers, a frame of cast iron q, is fixed, which is pro-
vided with a series of studs r, r, r, along the upper flange, and a series of
holes along the lower flange. A strong coulter s is fastened to this frame in
any desirable position, as will be seen from the Drawing, by means of a single
bolt q', which in case of undue resistance in the ground, on account of a stone
or other impediment, gives way and allows the coulter to stop; the impediment
being removed, the engine is again brought up to the coulter, and connected to
it by means of a fresh bolt.
The first coulter may be followed by a second and even a third, going to a
greater depth than the first, and finally it may be followed by a mole for
despositing the wire or wires, similar to the one above described, but fastened
with its own frame to that of the engine, in such a manner that whenever the
ground opposes an under resistance the mole frame shall be detached from the
engine by the giving way of a bolt or spring catch, or any other similar con-
trivance, as is well understood. In places where the ground is frequently
intersected with large stones, rocks, or the roots of trees it is sometimes
desirable to complete an open trench, in which the line wire is deposited in
the usual manner, or with a coating of sheet lead, as herein-after described.
In using the power of a locomotive engine for this purpose, I first pass a
coulter through the ground in an oblique position, as represented in Figure 3,
and afterwards in the position shewn by the dotted lines in Figure 3. By this
means a prismatic body of earth is separated, which is removed to the surface

page_text: by a lifting tool similar in form to a double plough, which is also attached to
the same or another engine.
The same process may then be repeated with deeper coulters and ploughs,
until a trench of sufficient depth is completed. In this operation frequent
recourse is had to manual labour:
In dry and chalky soils an instrument similar to that shewn in Figures 5
and 6, Sheet IV., may be employed. It is here represented as adapted for
laying line wire by the side of a railway. It consists of a large dise a, which
is formed of wrought iron, and carries on its periphery strong teeth or cutters
1, 1, 1, 1. The axis of this dise carries a chain pulley 6, by which it is turned
round in the direction of the arrows, the motion being derived from another
chain pulley c, which is driven by means of the wheel d and pinion e, which
last is set in motion by a small steam engine attached to the upright tubular
boiler f. The crank shaft of this engine carries a small fly wheel g, which,
however, may be dispensed with if two steam cylinders are used, as is well
understood. The frame which supports the engine and machinery rests upon
four wheels h, h, h', h, which run upon the rails of the railway. The
wheels h, h, are made to revolve slowly by a pinion i, which gears into a
wheel k, on their axis, and the carriage is thus made to advance slowly by the
friction of the wheels on the rail. The cutting wheel a is supported by its
axis in a moveable frame l, with its fixed centre m, which carries a. toothed
segment n, gearing into an endless screw o, by turning which the wheel a may
be lifted clear out of the ground. When in its lowest, or working position,
the axis of the wheel a finds a direct support on the principal frame, in an
open bearing at p. Immediately behind this wheel follows a flat wrought-iron
frame or sheath q, which is made a little narrower than the cutting teeth, in
order to slide freely through the ground, and which conducts the coated wire
or wires into the ground through an internal channel r, r, r. The framing
is supported on the axis of the cutting wheel, with which it is raised and
lowered, being always maintained in its upright position by a guide rod s.
In sandy or stony soils I prefer to envelope the insulated wires with thin
sheet lead, which is accomplished by the machine itself in the following
manner A hollow axis t is made to revolve with a velocity depending on the
advancing motion of the machine, by means of a pair of bevil wheels and the
strap pulleys u, u, u², u³. This axis is provided with two studs in an oblique
position, and opposite to each other, which carry the two pulleys or bobbins v
and v', containing coils of lead band. The line wires are laid out on the
ground in advance of the carriage, and are conducted through the hollow
axis t, and the channel r, r, into the ground, but are in their passage lapped

page_text: round with the two bands of sheet lead in a regular helical form. Two grooved
rollers w and w¹ serve the double purpose of pressing the lead firmly in contact
with the inclosed coated wires, and of drawing them into the machine, so as to
prevent them from being stretched too tightly in the ground, one of the
rollers w being driven in the direction of the arrow by the strap pulley u², on
its axis. In order to level the ground again, after the wires are deposited,
I attach two slanting boards a, a, to the back of the carriage, which are
followed by a heavy cast-iron roller y, as will be readily understood from the
Drawing.
The rate of advance of the cutting wheel may be regulated according to the
nature of the ground, by changing the proportion between the pinion and the
wheel, for which purpose intermediate gearing may be applied. If the
machine is to be moved freely along the rails, the cutting wheel a is raised by
means of the endless screw o, and the pinion e is slided back on its shaft,
whereby the driving wheels are liberated. An additional pair of driving
pulleys may be provided to connect the driving wheels directly with the crank
shaft of the engine, to run the carriage quickly from place to place, by the
power of the engine itself.
It will be seen that a machine of similar construction to the one just
described may be used also on common roads. The advance of the carriage
may in that case, be effected with a greater degree of certainty by means of
a rope which is fastened in advance of it, and wound gradually on a cylinder.
In all cases means must be provided to stop the cutting wheel, in case it meets
with an undue resistance in the ground, either by pulling up the engine, or
by the wheels slipping on the rails, or on the ground, or by a weaker portion
of the rope or an axis giving way, or by any other suitable means.
Either of the instruments herein described for depositing the line wires in
the ground, may also be so arranged as to be applicable below water. For
instance, in crossing rivers or narrow branches of the sea the plough, Figures 1
and 2, may be drawn through by means of a cable, which is wound on a crab
on the shore. A diver should be in attendance to remove or avoid the impedi-
ments which the instrument may meet with. In crossing sheets of water of
considerable breadth, the cable may be attached to the sterm of a steamboat,
which at the same time carries the coils of insulated wire. If a revolving
cutter is used, I place the driving machinery and the apparatus for covering
the wires with sheet lead on board; and transmit the motion to the cutting
wheel by means of a diagonal shaft.
In preparing line wire suitable for being laid under ground, I use a com-
bination of gutta percha and sulphur, with which the wire is coated and insulated

page_text: throughout its length. I employ any of the well known processes for the
purpose of combining the gutta percha with sulphur. I prefer to employ gutta
percha which has been entirely freed from water, and to mix it mechanically
with sulphur in the state of very fine powder by means of rollers, and then to
effect their chemical combination by heating the mixture in a steam chamber.
This combination of gutta percha and sulphur has the advantage of great
hardness, and consequently is not so much exposed to external injuries; it has
moreover the property of not being converted into a hydrate when exposed for
å long time to the influence of water, as is the case with pure gutta percha,
which in consequence loses by degrees its insulating power; on the other hand,
the sulphur in the sulphuretted or vulcanized gutta percha has an action on
the copper wire, and forms on its surface a non-insulating substance; but this
action takes place only during the coating of the wire, when the insulating
material is warm and can be made very insignificant, by taking no excess of
sulphur and by heating the substance only moderately. After the gutta percha
has cooled again, this action of the sulphur on the copper ceases.
The coating of the wires with this prepared gutta percha is done by pressure.
The machines hitherto used for this purpose are defective in many respects,
the wire was seldom in the centre of the gutta percha, the thickness of the
coating varied on different parts of the wire, and the insulation was imperfect
owing to air bubbles and other defects which prevented the solidity of the
gutta percha.
I will now describe my improvements in coating the wire, and in detecting
flaws and imperfect insulation in the coated wire.
My machine for coating the wire differs especially from other machines for
the same purpose, in the application of two cylinders for pressing the gutta
percha from two opposite directions, so as to prevent a one-sided pressure on
the wires, which are situated between the two cylinders and also in the fact of
the cylinders being moveable so that they may be taken out when empty, and
replaced by others which are filled with gutta percha.
Figure 1, Sheet V., represents a vertical section, and Figure 2 a
plan, of the
machine. A and A¹ are the two cylinders, which rest on the frame B, with
their open bottoms in contact with the central piece of the machine C, which
is firmly fixed to the frame B. The central hollow part of the piece C forms
a shallow passage of the same breadth as the cylinders, which are thus in
communication with each other. This passage is perforated by a row of twelve
vertical holes through its upper surface, and a similar corresponding row of
holes through its lower surface. In these holes are placed short perforated
cylindrical pieces of metal or bushes a and b, the holes through the lower ones

page_text: a being of the size of the uncovered wire, and the holes through the upper
ones 6 being of the size of the coated wire. For the purpose of guiding the
wires W exactly through the centres of the upper holes, the lower bushes a are
made conical at their upper ends, as shewn in the Drawing; the conical part
may be of steel or a hard stone. The lower ends of the upper bushes b are
made conical on the inside, so that a small circular space is left between the
inside of the upper hollow cane and the lower cane. The gutta percha, which,
by the action of the pistons in the two cylinders A, A', is pressed from both
sides into the shallow passage of the central piece C, enters the circular spaces
above mentioned, and passes' with the wire in the centre of it through the
upper bushes. The wires being equally pressed on both sides, will have no
tendency to get out of the centre of the gutta percha, or to produce friction
against the sides of the holes in the lower bushes a, which will therefore not
be worn so much as when pressure is on one side only. The simultaneous
movement of the two pistons is secured by means of the right and left handed
screws E, E, and E', E', which are placed parallel with the piston rods D and.
D', and connected with them as seen in the Drawings. By turning the wheels.
G, G', the hollow cylinders F, F, which are provided with nuts at their ends,
are turned round, and the screws E, E, E, E, are drawn into the hollow
cylinders F, F, and the pistons approach each other with equal velocity; the
two wheels G, G¹, are turned by means of an endless screw, to which is fixed.
the drum H, which is driven by a strap; the driving motion is so arranged
that it may be reversed, and the piston rods drawn back at an increased
velocity; the pistons are not fastened to their rods, but remain in their position
when the rods are moved back. By means of a crane the cylinders A, A¹,
may be raised from their position when empty, and replaced by others filled
with gutta percha. The operation of coating the wire may then be continued.
The cylinders are surrounded by a steam jacket, which prevents the cooling of
the gutta percha; the wires are straightened and wound on drums, and are
guided through vertical holes placed at some distance below the lower bushes a.
After the wires have issued, coated with gutta percha, from the upper bushes b,
they are carried upwards through the air for twenty or thirty feet, and pass
between wet rollers covered with felt or other soft material. The rollers as
turned by the machine, and produce a uniform thickness in the coating of the
wire.
When a very thick coating is employed, I cause the coated wire to be
guided still higher, and to pass between several pairs of similar rollers. As
air bubbles which happen to be in the gutta percha are very injurious to its
insulating power, great care must be taken in filling the cylinders, lest any air

page_text: should be included in the gutta percha. For this purpose I prepare a number
of cylinders of gutta percha of small diameter, and rather shorter than the
cylinders A, A, by means of rollers, or by squeezing the gutta percha in a
warm state through a die by means of a cylinder and piston, or otherwise.
The piston of the empty cylinder A or A', which has been removed from the
machine, is forced nearly out of the cylinder, which is then placed upon the
block M, Figure 3 are filled with the small cylinder of gutta percha, and
covered with the lid N; in the centre of this lid is a heavy valve n, opening
inwards, under which is a curved plate or dish of sheet iron p. An opening
at q is capable of being closed by a cap or slide; a passage r leads to an air
pump; P is a strong rod working through a stuffing-box s; the joints are all
made air-tight, and the air is then exhausted by means of the air pump; the
valve is kept open by its own weight. When a good vacuum has been
obtained, the piston A³ is forced up by means of the rod P, and the gutta
percha squeezed into one mass, the cylinder being kept warm by a steam
jacket; the gutta percha presses against the dish p, and closes the valve n,
thus preventing the passage from becoming obstructed by the gutta percha.
When the mass has been well consolidated the hole q is opened, and the piston
is advanced to a certain predetermined distance, so that the cylinder is thus
always filled to the same mark. The apparatus is now disconnected, and the
gutta percha which has entered the hole is trimmed off. The cylinder
charged with gutta percha is now placed in the machine, and the convex,
surface of gutta percha being pressed against the flat surface left by the
previous operation, squeezes out the air, and unites the two surfaces in a sound
and effectual manner.
Notwithstanding every precaution in coating the wires it seldom happens
that a great length of wire can be at one prepared in a perfect state. Small
pieces of dirt or other foreign matters, and air bubbles and small injuries
invisible to the eye, are generally present, and render the insulation imperfect.
A small degree of imperfection in a new line is of little consequence, but the
defective places generally become worse in the course of time, and still more
so when the gutta percha has not been freed from its water. I therefore test
the perfection of the insulation before employing the wires. A large quantity
of the coated wire is immersed in a vessel of water, the two ends of the wire
being kept out of the liquid. One or both ends of the wire is connected to one
pole of a galvanic battery, and a wire is carried from a metallic plate
immersed in the liquid to the coils of a very delicate galvanometer, consisting
of an astatic needle surrendered with from five to ten thousand convolutions of
wire, from which a connection is made to the other pole of the battery.. If

page_text: the needle of the galvanometer is not deflected the insulation is perfect; if the
needle is deflected it shows that the insulation is imperfect, and I then proceed
to ascertain the position of the defect or defects in the following manner :-
The wire is wound upon a drum or reel, and its end is placed in contact
with the metallic spindle of the drum, from which a connection is made by
means of a spring and wire to one end of the induction coils of a magneto-
electric or electro-magnetic machine for giving electric shocks. The other end
of the induction coils is brought into contact with the body of the workman.
The other end of the coated wire, which is to be tested, is passed under a
pulley immersed in a vessel of water and then attached to another drum or
reel, on which it is wound by turning a handle under the control of the work-
man. While the wire is thus passing through the water the workman dips
his finger into the water of the vessel, or into another vessel'communicating
with it. As long as the insulation is perfect in that part of the wire which is
passing through the liquid the workman will feel nothing, but the moment an
imperfectly insulated part of the wire enters the water the circuit of the
induction coils is completed from one end of the coils through the coated wire,
the water, and the body of the workman, to the other end of the coil, and the
workman will receive an electric shock, when he will immediately stop the
machine and mark the defective place. When all the defects have thus been
ascertained they are repaired by warming the place and winding it round with
warmed strips of gutta percha. When all the defects have been thus repaired
the wire is proved again, and, if it should still be found to be imperfectly
insulated, it should be rejected, as the fault will then be owing to the badness
of the quality of the gutta percha itself.
In some cases it is advantageous to employ some additional covering to
protect the underground insulated line wire from external injury. Tubes of
iron or lead have sometimes been used for this purpose, but are inconvenient
in many respects, particuarly in making joints and repairing defects. In place
of tubes of lead or iron I employ strips of sheet lead, which I place round the
coated wires, either in a spiral direction, as described in reference to Figures 5
and 6, Sheet IV.; or I bend a long strip of sheet lead into the form of a
gutter and lay the wires in it, and then fold the lead over the wires so as to
completely surround them. This operation may be performed either on the
line, as the wires are laid, or previously. For this purpose I prepare a number
of strips of sheet lead about ten feet long, and a flat piece of wood of the same
length, on the side of which is screwed an iron plate, as shewn in section in
Figure 7 in Sheet IV. The strip of lead is laid on a flat table (on a carriage
running on the rails when the wire is being laid alongside of a railway), and

page_text: its edge is slipped between the wood A and iron plate B. The piece of wood
is then turned over, and bends the piece of lead into the shape shewn in
Figure 7. The piece of lead is then laid in a groove, formed by fixing two
iron plates to a piece of wood, as shewn in Figure 8, and the wires are laid in
it, and the lead is then folded over, as in Figure 9, so as completely to encase
the wires; the carriage is then moved forward, and another strip of lead is
applied in a similar manner. The mode of applying a spiral covering of lead
has been already explained..
Underground insulated line wire may be compared to a Leyden vial of gutta
percha or other nonconducting material, which is coated on its inner side
with the metallic line wire and on its outer side with the moisture of the earth
or sea. In passing a current through such a line wire a certain amount of the
. electric fluid goes to charge the vial, which charge will again discharge itself
through the telegraphic instrument at one end of the circuit, if the circuit is
broken in the instrument at the other end, whereby one instrument may
sometimes make two strokes while the other instrument makes but one. I
remedy this defect by establishing a continuous connection between the earth
and the line wire at each end of the circuit by means of a thin covered wire of
German silver, or any other material which offers a great resistance to the
electric current but still allows a sufficient quantity to pass to discharge the
line wire. The same defect in underground line wire is to some extent
remedied by distributing the battery power over many different stations along
. the line, all the batteries forming part of the same circuit.
Firstly, I claim the construction of electro-magnets for telegraphic purposes
of longitudinally divided tubes of iron or other magnetic metal, or of bundles
of wires of iron or other magnetic metals.
Secondly, I claim the construction of instruments for obtaining motion for
telegraphic purposes by means of one or two electro-magnets turning on their
own axes within the fixed coils, by which they are rendered magnetic, or
mounted on a transverse axis and vibrating from side to side within the coils,
by which they are magnetized, as above described.
Thirdly, I claim the construction of instruments for producing motion
for telegraphic purposes by means of spirals of metallic wire or band traversed
by electric currents, and attracting or repelling one another; I also claim the
producing of motion for telegraphic purposes in such spirals by the proximity
of permanent magnets, which at the same time serve for producing electric
currents by induction, for working telegraphic apparatus.
Fourthly, I claim the construction of the conducting contact pieces of
telegraphic apparatus of alloys of platinum, iridium, or palladium, with gold or

page_text: silver, whether such alloys are still further alloyed by the admixture of other
metals or not.
Fifthly, I claim the construction of electric telegraphic printing apparatus
in such manner that the magnet which works the step-by-step motion breaks
and restores the circuit by oscillation of the armature or of the moving
magnet itself.
Sixthly, I claim the combining of electric telegraphic printing apparatus in
the same circuit with indicating apparatus, when the magnets which work the
step-by-step motion of either or both instruments break and restore the
circuit by the oscillation of the armatures, or of the moving magnets them-
selves.
Seventhly, I claim the impressing of types or paper at the instant that the
type wheel stops, by arranging the electro-magnet which acts on the hammer
so that the short intermittent currents which work the electro-magnet of the
type wheel traverse the coils of this magnet without producing motion on its
armature, which however, is set in motion when the current is rendered con-
tinuous by the stoppage of the type wheel.
Eighthly, I claim the arranging the magnet which acts on the hammer in
electro-telegraphic printing apparatus so that its own circuit is broken by the
action of the magnet itself towards the end of its stroke.
Ninthly, I claim the construction of electro-telegraphic printing apparatus,
in such a manner that the printing is effected by pressing the type against
paper in contact with an inked roller.;
Tenthly, I claim the arrangements herein described of retaining the
moving piece which breaks and restores the electric circuit in its respective
position.
Eleventhly, I claim the application of the small pin i, Figure 1, Sheet I.,
for preventing the overrunning of the ratchet wheel in telegraphic aparatus
with step-by-step motion.
Twelfthly, I claim the combination of a transmitting instrument with an
indicating or printing telegraphic apparatus worked by step-by-step motion or
with both together, in such a manner that the transmitting apparatus breaks
and restores the circuit of the telegraphic apparatus, which reciprocally
breaks and restores the circuit of the transmitting instrument.
Thirteenthly, I claim the combination of a self-acting alarum with a
transmitting instrument as above described with reference to Figures 5 and 6,
Sheet III.
Fourteenthly, I claim the combination of a self-acting alarum with a

page_text: transmitting instrument which breaks and restores the circuit of the alarum
magnet, which in its turn reciprocally breaks and restores the circuit of the
transmitting instrument.
Fifteenthly, I claim the combination of one or two cylinders carrying pins,
with a series of springs and keys for making contacts for transmitting a
distinct determinate succession of electric currents in one or both directions by
the depression of each key, as above described under the head ninthly.
Sixteenthly, I claim the employment of implements partaking of the nature
of a plough or revolving cutter, in making trenches or channels for the
reception of telegraphic line wires.
Seventeenthly, I claim the application of the propelling power of a loco-
motive engine, for the purpose of giving motion to such implements.
Eighteenthly, I claim the conducting the line wire into the ground through
suitable guides, which either form part of or immediately follow the cutting
instrument.
Nineteenthly, I claim as improvements in the manufacture of coated wire
for electric telegraphic purposes, firstly, the arranging machinery, for coat-
ing the wires, with two cylinders and pistons, in such a manner that the
pressure of the semifluid mass against the wires is equalized; secondly, the
arranging those cylinders, or the cylinder when only one is used, in such
a manner that they may be removed and replaced by others while the former
are being recharged; thirdly, the consolidating the gutta percha or its
compounds within such cylinders in vacuo.
Twentiethly, I claim the testing of coated wire for electric telegraphic
purposes by passing the same through water, with which is connected, an
apparatus capable of producing electric shocks, so that the circuit may include
the person of the operator, and may be completed by the passage of electricity
through the defects in the coating of the wire.
Twenty-firstly, I claim the covering insulated underground line wire with
strips of sheet lead, as above described.
Twenty-secondly, I claim the establishing a direct communication between
the underground line wire and the earth, by means of a thin wire of German
silver or other imperfectly conducting material, the resistance of which to the
passage of the electricity is capable of being adjusted at pleasure.
In witness whereof, I, the said Ernst Werner Siemens, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Nineteenth day of October, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty.
ERNST WERNER (L.s.) SIEMENS.

page_text: AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Nineteenth day of October,
in the year of our Lord 1850, the aforesaid Ernst Werner Siemens came before
our said Lady the Queen in Her Chancery; and acknowledged the Specification
aforesaid, and all and every thing therein contained and specified, in form
above written. And also the Specification aforesaid was stamped according to
the tenor of Statue made for that purpose.
Enrolled the Twenty-third day of October, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and fifty.