IMPROVEMENTS IN EFFECTING TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATIONS
Year: 1854

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Edward Orange Wildman Whitehouse, of Brighton,
in the County of Sussex, Surgeon, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN EFFECTING TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATIONS."
Sealed the 28th November 1854, and dated the 2nd June 1854.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Edward Orange Wildman
Whitehouse at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition, on the 2nd June 1854.
I, EDWARD ORANGE WILDMAN WHITEHOUSE, of Brighton, in the County of
Sussex, Surgeon, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN EFFECTING TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATIONS" to be as follows:-
These improvements relate principally to the carrying out certain details of the
Invention secured to me by Letters Patent, dated the Twelfth day of December
1853, and in the modes by which that Invention may be adapted to a single
wire telegraph; and consist,-
First, in the enableing the operator to avail himself of the positive and
negative currents (in either direction) generated during the continuous rapid
rotatory or other movement of an armature or coil in front of, between, or near
to the poles of a magnet, without interfering with or checking the movements
of the machinery, by means of a metallic spring or wheel attached to the axis
of one of the moving parts, travelling over and making contact with metallic
A

page_text: pins or circuit pieces, or by means of other. suitable mechanical arrangements,
whereby short circuit can be established automatically at any part of the
revolution.
Second, to the directing änd controlling these currents, as well as those
obtainable from a battery, by the aid of a "commutator," by the use of the
short circuit and other means, and employing a cam or lever, or other con-
venient mechanical arrangement, for automatically directing the current
(without breaking contact), so as to convey the intelligence required, either by
the direct action of the current upon apparatus connected with a dial, on
which a hand or hands may be made to travel by a step-by-step movement, or
by the action of the current directly upon the electro-chemical paper; or by
producing either of these effects indirectly, by mechanically calling into play a
local battery at the distant station, whether for the purpose of producing the
movements upon the dial, or of producing the electro-chemical marks on the
paper; or, lastly, of printing from type in the Roman character, or for either
one or more of these purposes conjointly.
Third, mechanical arrangements connected with the manipulator, "by which
the single touch of one or more studs or keys shall suffice to indicate or print
the entire letter, no consecutive movements of the hands being required for
such purpose, though several consecutive currents may be necessary. for the
completion of the letter. This is effected by automatically short circuiting at
the proper moment those currents not intended to travel. Similar means may
also be employed to control and regulate a battery current for the same
purpose. A special arrangement is provided in the working part of this instru-
ment for the removal of the difficulty arising from the action of the "induced
current" observable in subterranean and submarine wires. This is effected by
short circuiting those currents, the induction from which might interfere with
the integrity of the indication and due working of the apparatus..
There is also an arrangement applicable to this in common with other
instruments working in such wires for the dispersion and neutralization of the
induced current,-by-interposing in several parts of the circuit a carefully
regulated amount of defective insulation, which may be effected in various
simple modes in accordance with the principle above stated. The receiving part
of this telegraph is so arranged as to be capable of recording simultaneously
upon the same slip of paper, (without chance of interferences with each other,)
messages from several, say, five or six distant stations, by arranging the still
points or tracers side by side, carefully insulated from each other, in connection
with the respective line wires from the distant stations, and pressing upon one
and the same drum which is in connection with the earth wire, thus lessening

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Edward Orange Wildman Whitehouse in the Great Seal
Patent Office on the 2nd December 1854.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, EDWARD
ORANGE WILDMAN WHITEHOUSE, of Brighton, in the County of Sussex, Surgeon,
send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Second day of June, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and fifty-four, in the seventeenth year of Her reign,
did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said
Edward Orange Wildman Whitehouse, Her special license that I, the said
Edward Orange Wildman Whitehouse, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, or such others as I, the said Edward Orange Wildman Whitehouse,
my executors, administrators, or assigns, should at any time agree with, and
no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term
therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend,
within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel
Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN EFFECTING
TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATIONS," upon the condition (amongst others) that I,
the said Edward Orange Wildman Whitehouse, by an instrument in writing
under my hand and seal, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature
of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed, and
cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar
months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Edward Orange Wildman Whitehouse,
do hereby declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement, reference being had to the accompanying Drawings,
and to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is to say :-
My said Invention relates principally to the carrying out of certain details
of the Invention secured to me by Letters Patent, dated the Twelfth day of
December, One. thousand eight hundred and fifty-three, and in the modes
©

page_text: by which that Invention may be adapted to a single wire telegraph; and
consists,-
First, in the enabling the operator to avail himself of the positive and negative
currents (in either direction) generated during the continuous rapid rotary
or other movement of an armature or coil in front of, between, or near to the
poles of a magnet, without interfering with or checking the movements of the
machinery, by means of a metallic spring or wheel attached to the axis of one
of the moving parts, travelling over and making contact with metallic pins or
circuit pieces, or by means of other suitable mechanical arrangements, whereby
short circuit can be established automatically at any part of the revolution.
Second, to the directing and controlling these currents, as well as those
obtainable from a battery, by the aid of a "commutator," by the use of the
short circuit and other means, and employing a cam or lever, or other
convenient mechanical arrangement, for automatically directing the current
(without breaking contact) so as to convey the intelligence required, either
by the direct action of the current upon apparatus connected with a dial, on
which a hand or hands may be made to travel by a step-by-step movement, or
by the action of the current directly upon the electro-chemical paper; or by
producing either of these effects indirectly, by mechanically calling into play a
local battery at the distant station, whether for the purpose of producing the
movements upon the dial, or of producing the electro-chemical marks on the
paper; or, lastly, of printing from type in the Roman character, or for either
one or more of these purposes conjointly.
Third, mechanical arrangements connected with the manipulator, by which
the single touch of one or more studs or keys shall suffice to indicate or print
the entire letter, no consecutive movements of the hands being required for
such purpose, though several consecutive currents may be necessary for the
completion of the letter. This is effected by automatically short circuiting at
the proper moment those currents not intended to travel.
Similar means may
also be employed to control and regulate a battery current for the same
purpose A-special-arrangement is provided in the working part of this instru-
ment for the removal of the difficulty arising from the action of the "induced
current" observable in subterranean and submarine wires. This is effected by
short circuiting those currents, the induction from which might interfere with
the integrity of the indication and due working of the apparatus. There is
also an arrangement applicable to this in common with other instruments
working in such wires for the dispersion and neutralization of the induced
current, by interposing in several parts of the circuit a carefully regulated
amount of defective insulation, which may be effected in various simple modes,

page_text: in accordance with the principle above stated. The receiving part of the
telegraph is so arranged as to be capable of recording simultaneously upon the
same slip of paper (without chance of interferences with each other) messages
from several, say, five or six distant stations, by arranging the steel points or
trackers side by side, carefully insulated from each other, in connection with the
respective line wires from the distant stations, and pressing upon one and the
same drum which is in connection with the earth wire, thus lessening greatly
the labour and attention required, inasmuch as one person may thus do the
work of six.
All these arrangements, though specially intended for and applicable to a
single wire telegraph, are available also for those with more than one wire.
In the Specification of my previous Patent, bearing date the Twelfth day
of December, One thousand eight hundred and fifty-three, I described certain
arrangements of apparatus to be employed with several line wires for the
transmission of signals with the utmost rapidity which the human hand is
capable of attaining; with such apparatus I believe that a skilled manipu-
lator could, by the use of phonographic symbols, readily follow the words of a
speaker.
The principal objects of my present improvements in effecting telegraphic
communications are to obtain, as nearly as possible, the same speed in the
transmission and recording of messages, by the use of a single wire, and at
the same time to free the instrument from the difficulties arising (in the use
of underground or submarine wires) from the action of the induced or earth
current, as it is called.
Reverting to the mode of recording, by means of electro-chemical decom-
position upon chemically prepared paper, which I adopted in my previous
arrangements, I now propose to make such alterations in the arrangement of
the marks constituting the letters of my alphabet, and the symbols of the pho-
netic or other code of signals, as shall render the same suitable for transmission
by a single wire. For this purpose, instead of the marks that constitute each
letter or symbol being arranged side by side, and produced simultaneously by a
single touch of several wires, they are made to follow each other, and are pro-
duced by consecutive currents, still the result of a single touch, no consecutive
movements of the hands being required. And further, in order to ensure the
most perfect legibility and distinctness, the paper during the transmission
of the entire despatch is automatically divided with perfect uniformity by the
current from the distant instrument into letter or symbol lengths or blanks,
and in & upon these blanks so automatically divided, the required dots are

page_text: so placed; with mathematical correctness in their relative positions, that their
communication can be read with the greatest facility and certainty."
In addition, however, to this mode, I also propose the use of the same
alphabet or code of signals, each letter or symbol of which is produced by
a single touch, as a means of recording. intelligence by pressure upon car-
bonized paper, thereby marking the letters or symbols on a slip of ordinary
white paper.
In this case, the transmitting part of the apparatus remaining
the same, I substitute mechanical action with an electro-magnet, carbonized
paper, and common white paper, at the receiving station, for the steel or iron
tracker, and the prepared electro-chemical paper undergoing decomposition,
by the direct action of the electric current itself, as described in my former
Specification.
In another form of my instrument, to which I give the name of dial indi-
cator and type printer, the despatch or message is recorded by means of a type
wheel and carbonized paper or inking roller upon common white paper, in the
manner hereafter described.
I shall now proceed to explain the principle and mode of action of the
different forms which my apparatus assumes. The first form of my apparatus,
which I term the magneto-electric decomposition printer, may be described as
follows:-
Let there be an armature of suitable size, wound with sufficiently fine wire
in the usual way, and kept revolving at a certain regulated speed, in front of
or between the poles of a powerful permanent or electro-magnet: you have at
once the command of a succession of currents of equal intensity, quantity, and
duration, alternating rapidly in either direction. The ordinary pressure of a
spring upon an insulated collar, in connexion with one end of the armature
wire, and the metal of the axis in contact with the other end, places, as it were,
the "alternating" current in your hands for use. Now, avail yourself of any
"commutative" of the ordinary form, placed upon the same axis or spindle,
and by the pressure of a couple of springs upon it, you have disposable
રી "direct"though intermitting-current-passing-always-in-the-same direction.
Place upon the same spindle a pinion of twelve teeth driving a wheel of
eighty-four, on the axis of which is fixed a spring, which in each revolution of
the wheel shall pass over and make contact with fourteen metallic circuit
pieces, so arranged that the spring shall always be on the centre of a circuit
piece when the armature in its revolution is in the position for the maximum
strength of current, and that the change of the spring from one circuit piece
to the next shall always take place at what may be called the "nil point" of

page_text: the revolution; bring a wire separately from each of these circuit pieces to a
key board or manipulator, and it will be obviously easy to make such a con-
nexion of the keys or studs, with any one or more of the circuit pieces at
pleasure, as shall enable us, without interfering with the revolution, either to
use or not to use that particular current. The armature revolves seven times for
one revolution of the wheel carrying the spring, and thus fourteen currents are
obtained, videlicet, seven positive and seven negative, represented by and under
control of the same number of circuit pieces. The axis of the wheel carries
a cam, which once in each revolution acts upon a lever. The functions of the
lever are two-fold: first, it alters during a short period the contacts of the line
and earth wires and the wires connected with the armature, so that, for a
revolution and a half, the "alternating" current is replaced by the "direct"
positive current from the commutator; this forms automatically the boundary
between letter and letter. Secondly, and at the same instant, the lever takes
from the hand and retains during seven revolutions of the armature any of
the keys or studs upon which the fingers have been placed; it maintains the
proper contact during this time with those keys, and delivers or releases them
only on the cam having completed the revolution, when the lever in like
manner again takes other studs, which have been pressed down by the fingers
of the operator in the mean time; thus the lever (on being moved by the cam)
produces the mark for the division of letter from letter, and at the same time
take from the hand (so to speak) the prepared form of the letter, retaining
it for the time necessary to produce the required consecutive marks, and then
giving it up in order to take the next, and so on, continually. Through the
agency of the lever, therefore, the single touch of one or more studs or keys
by the operator will suffice to print the entire letter or combination of marks,
no consecutive movements of the fingers being required for such purpose,
although several consecutive currents may be necessary to complete the letter.
During the working of this instrument, when the operator does not touch the
keys, the automatic action of the cam produces a series of blanks, i. e., the
paper receiving the currents is divided at regular intervals, corresponding to
the throw of the cam by a mark, the result of the currents sent as positives
from the commutator. The space intervening between mark and mark is
ready for the reception of the alternating currents, which are under the control
of the operator, by means of the keys and circuit pieces above described, so
that he may let one or more of them travel or not, just as is necessary, for the
formation of each letter. These currents must necessarily follow each other
accurately as regards time and space upon the paper, and this at any speed
at which the instrument may be worked, inasmuch as they result from the

page_text: successive revolutions of the same armature; they therefore record their marks
with precision. As regards their relative positions in the letter blanks, the eye
can instantly and unfailingly recognise them, and give them their assigned
value in the alphabetical arrangements.
These magneto-electric currents may for short distances be made to record
themselves directly upon the electro-chemical paper, but in long lines of com-
munication it is found that the expenditure. of electric energy in travelling is
considerable, and that the marks may be more readily produced indirectly by
the use of a local decomposition battery, called into play by a receiving
magnet or "relay," placed in connexion with the line wire, and actuated by
the travelling magneto-electric currents. This relay responds by movement
to every current which it receives, and in so doing it gives in the simplest
manner the contacts for the local printing battery.
The form, construction, and mode of action of this "relay" is as follows:-
A small permanent horse-shoe magnet (simple or compound) is fixed upon the
spindle, and placed between the pole pieces or poles of an electro-magnet or
magnets of the usual form, in such a manner and position that each of its
poles shall receive the attractive and repulsive influence from both poles of the
electro-magnet or magnets which embrace it. By this arrangement, we avail
ourselves of the most valuable part of the "magnetic field." While we apply
the magnetic force in the most energetic manner, we are also enabled to
dispense entirely with the use of a recoil spring, or adjusting spring, or indeed
spring or weight of any sort, as the magnet is thrown each way by the action
of the current, and is retained at either side by the operation of the "residual
magnetism, the result of the current last sent, until the arrival of the succeed-
ing current..
The movements of the small permanent magnet in either direction are
restrained and regulated by adjusting screws, tipped with platinum. These
screws, insulated from the metal framework of the relay, while the small
magnet itself by its spindle is continuous therewith, are the means of
making the required contacts by wires connected with the local battery, which
may be so arranged-as-either_to_give repeated "direct" currents or "alter-
nating currents by the use of one or two batteries respectively, in a manner
easily to be understood..
"
While this is the action of the relay at the receiving station, it also per-
forms important functions at the transmitting station, where it either calls into
play the local battery, if required, for the purpose of retaining a home record
of, the dispatch by the decomposition instrument, or gives contacts for the type
printer apparatus, if that form of instrument be used, so as to enable the

page_text: operator to direct and control by short circuit the current travelling to the
distant station without breaking contact.
The electro-chemical printing- is .eflected in the manner described in my
former Specification, by the pressure of an iron or steel point, style, or spring
upon the prepared paper, which, properly moistened, is drawn continuously
under it by the revolution of a wetted metal drum.
The style is in connection with the line wire, if working by direct action,
and the drum with the earth; but if a local battery is used, the connections
are with the negative and positive ends of the battery respectively and with
the relay, herein-before described.. Where it is desired that several despatches
should be received at one time upon the paper, the only addition required is to
place several springs, styles, or "trackers," properly insulated in such a position
(at the receiving station) as to press equally and side by side upon the paper,
in such a manner that the letters of the several despatches shall be side by
side and parallel to each other. If the despatches are to be printed by direct
action, the line wire from each station would have its appropriate tracker,
while the drum would be in connection with the earth; but if local battery
power is to be used for printing, then there must be a separate receiving
magnet or relay on each line wire, and a separate contact for the printing
current of cach.
I shall now proceed to explain one of the modes whereby I control and
direct battery currents for the same purpose by the aid of a commutator.
Let a magnetic needle be so placed as to move freely on an axis or spindle
fixed in its centre in the usual way, and let the needle be embraced by a helix
on either side. It is evident that, if by the aid of a commutator placed on the
spindle of the needle, we can throw the current through the helices at the
proper moment, and in such a manner as always to tend to give the needle the
opposite position to that which it then has, we shall establish in it an auto-
matic rotation, the force and rapidity of which will be determined by the size
and strength of the magnetic needle, and by the amount of battery force at
our command. This constitutes the simple form of iny automatic needle com-
mutator. In order to combine with this the essential parts of the decom-
position printer, let there be placed upon the spindle of the commutator either
a pinion driving a wheel, as in the previously described instrument, or, what is
better, a pin driving a "star wheel," moving it one tooth for every revolution
of the needle; let the axis of this star wheel carry a spring, travelling over
circuit picces, in the manner before described, and we have then an arrange-
ment for the use of the battery current, precisely analogous to that already
described. for the magneto-electric decomposition printer.. An. arrangement

page_text: also is made, by an additional pin upon the axis, to supersede the necessity of
throwing the lever by the mechanical force of the cam, by substituting for it
a magnetic attraction or pull of the lever, the result of a contact given by the
traveller on the axis of the star wheel at the appropriate moment, once in each
revolution. We are thus enabled to use a battery current of any required
intensity, and therefore equal to any distance, without the necessity of altering
or enlarging any part of our apparatus, as must be the case with the magneto-
armature in the previous instrument, if required to work through great
distances. This instrument is fitted for the use of the same alphabet as the
magneto-cléctric instrument, and its signals are receivable in the same manner
as those above described.
There is another mode in which the commutator may make the battery
current available for the same purpose, (viz.) by throwing an energetic
"quantity" current alternately in either direction through the quantity wires
of an induction coil or coils, generating in so doing currents of great intensity
in coils of fine wire connected therewith, in the manner described by Professor
The line
Faraday. See "Daniell's Chemical Philosophy, London, 1843."
wires, and of course the arrangement for the use of the circuit pieces, would
in this instance be in connection with the wires, not of the primary, but of the
induced current; in all other essentials the instrument would be the same in
principle and action as that previously described. Mr. Williams, in (1852),
made use of the intensity current derived from an electro-magnet excited in
this way to actuate a type printing instrument. Mr. Henley also proposes to.
use an armature and horse-shoe magnet for the generation of the currents in
a somewhat similar manner. I do not therefore claim as new that which has
been done before, but I adopt the use of an induction coil, consisting of two or
more straight bars of soft round iron, covered in somewhat unequal propor-
tions by large wires, for the conveyance of quantity currents, and by very fine
wire for the intensity or magneto-electric currents.
The battery which I prefer to use in carrying out this part of my Invention
(though any form of energetic "quantity" battery may be employed) is made
of cast iron and zinc, with porous or wooden partitions-or-cells, and the plates
are respectively excited by nitric acid & dilute sulphuric acid.
This kind of battery is commonly known as the Maynooth battery, but I
adopt a variation in the form, which makes it specially applicable to tele-
graphic purposes, as affording facilities for maintaining its efficient action for
any length of time, as it admits of the renewal of the porous cells, the acids of
either sort respectively, and the zinc plates themselves, without for a moment
interrupting the proper use of the battery.

page_text: When, however, a "long series battery" is required for the use of its
current, directed by the commutator, as before described, I prefer to avail
myself of a great number of very small elements (Smee's plates), which need
not exceed an inch square in size, and I mount them in gutta percha cells,
having a thin perforated partition or fillet of gutta percha at the upper part,
so placed as to admit of very close approximation of the elements, but to pre-
vent the possibility of actual contact between them. The quantity of fluid
which each cell can contain will determine the length of time the battery can
be worked without recharging or refreshing. The gutta percha cells, arranged
in banks or rows of 20 to 25 (or more), are fitted with a metallic hook or
strap at each end, fastened to the framework of the row or bank, and taking
the contact from the terminal plate at each end, and the banks are placed so
as to rest by their hooks or straps on other fixed hooks or straps, by which the
contacts are made and the proper connexions established. The advantages of
this arrangement of contacts are, first, that it saves time, by facilitating the
making of the proper connexions; and, secondly, that inasmuch as the point of
support is also the point of electrical connexion, the action of gravity ensures an
efficient contact without the use of binding screws; and it also prevents
entirely the waste of current by the indifferent insulation of the damp battery.
room, a matter of no small importance when using a current of intensity.
I will now describe the general construction and action of my "dial indicator"
and type printer. Let the automatic needle cominutator be set to work and
kept in constant revolution, giving, either by means of the long series battery
or of the quantity battery and induction coil, a constant succession of rapidly
alternating currents, or, if it be preferred, let the armature be kept revolving
for the same purpose in front of the permanent magnet. In either of these
cases, let the currents both at the transmitting and receiving stations actuate
the "relay" before mentioned, for the purpose of mechanically calling into
play a local battery. The contacts thus given are made to actuate one or more
magnets, for the purpose of impelling forward by step-by-step movement a
ratchet wheel fixed to a spindle, carrying a hand for indicating, and at the
same time a type wheel for printing, attached to the same spindle, whicli
carries at once the hand, the ratchet wheel, and the type wheel; this is also
a "spring travelling over and making contact with a series of circuit pieces
corresponding with the various letters on the dial and type wheel. If now we
conduct a wire from each of these circuit pieces to a corresponding stud or
key upon the key board, where one key is devoted to each individual letter,
we shall find no difficulty in establishing at the transmitting station such a
connexion thro' the key board with the wires as shall arrest the moveinent-

page_text: of the type wheel (the instant the spring or traveller arrives at the circuit
piece, corresponding with the stud pressed down), by the automatic completion
of a short circuit, in such a manner as to drainoff the travelling current
from the line wire and relay, by affording it a more ready channel of
communication; this arrest will of course occur at both stations simultane-
ously, and if the instruments started together the same letter will be indicated.
Now, in order to make this instrument unfailing in its accuracy, I have
arranged, first, that after indicating any letter, the hand and type wheel
shall automatically return to blank, the point of departure; secondly, that
during this action both instruments shall break the connexion with the line
wire till the return of the type wheel in each is completed, when the connexion
in both shall be re-established again; thus neither instrument can work till
both are ready. The mechanism to effect this object, as well as that for
producing the movement of the paper, and the pressure necessary for printing
thereon, is actuated wholly by the magnetic force, the battery current being
the only working "power."
I also propose to use a modification of the foregoing type printer, in which
a continuous forward movement of the hand and type wheel is substituted for
the above-described alternate forward and retrograde movements.
It is an essential part of the above arrangements that the currents employed
as alternating currents (every positive being followed by its corresponding
negative. This use of the currents is attended with several important advan-
tages in the "relay;" it renders the employment of adjusting springs unneces
sary, while it ensures greater certainty and rapidity of action, by removing
the embarrassment usually arising from a varying amount of residual mag-
netism due to the variations of the battery power. The succession of each
positive by a negative in the decomposition printer renders the letters more
distinct, by producing a more defined space or blank between dot and dot,
than would be the case with a mere repetition of positive currents. Lastly,
this mode of working maintains, in subterranean and submarine wires, the
electric equilibrium,-as_it_ensure the adequate discharge of each current, by
following it closely with another current of equal energy, but of opposite
"earth
polarity; thus the difficulty which arises from residual electricity or
current, as it is sometimes called, is overcome. I also propose to get rid of
the residual electricity or earth current in such wires by inserting, at various
points along the line, a ready way for the escape of the current in question, by
including in the circuit of the line wire certain lengths or portions of wire, at
which an accurately adjusted amount of conduction to earth can be established
and regulated at pleasure; by this means the state of electric tension into

page_text: which the wire is thrown by its present "Leydon jar" action is diminished,
and the equilibrium maintained more readily; these may be called infinitessimal
earth contacts, and it is at these points that the wire will discharge itself.
Thus a long length may be broken into twenty or more minor lengths, at
cach of which points the current has the channel open for the restoration of
its equilibrium. Another mode of meeting this difficulty is by short cir-
cuiting the current, in order to divert it from the instrument, and thus
prevent its embarassment by offering a more ready exit for the current to-
the earth.
These three modes in practice may be combined, and even in cases where
(as in very long submarine lengths) the second mode is inadmissable, the
first and third are capable of readily being combined, and made available.
The arrangement for receiving more than one dispatch at a time upon the
same slip of paper is as follows:—
Let each of the distant stations (from which it is desired to receive) be
represented by and be in metallic connexion with a separate tracker or spring
pressing upon the electro-chemical paper; these must be carefully insulated
from each other and from the metal of the instrument. Let the drum be in
metallic connexion with the earth. The currents will now record themselves
perfectly without interference. Again, if the stations be very distant and signals
bad, let the travelling currents from each station be received upon a separate
relay in connexion with each line wire and earth, and let them give the
contacts for a local decomposition battery in connexion each with its separate
tracker, and let the drum be common to all; the local battery currents will
then record perfectly without interference.
I shall now proceed to describe and refer to the several Figures on the
Sheets of Drawings hereunto annexed.
Sheets 1 and 2 contain Drawings of the magnets electric decomposition
printer.
Fig. 1, Sheet 1, is an elevation, and Fig. 2 a plan view (on a reduced scale),
of the magnet and instrument in its case, with rest for the hands of the operator.
Fig. 3 is a full-sized front elevation of the decomposition printer with the
case removed..
Fig. 4 is a vertical section of Fig. 1, looking to the right, and taken along
the line 1, 2, in Fig. 3.
Fig. 5 is a sectional plan of the Figs. 3 and 4, taken along the line 3, 4.
Fig. 1 on Sheet 2 is a back clevation of the printer; Figs. 2 and 3 aro
sectional elevations of the machine, taken along the lines 5, 6, and 7, 8,
respectively, in Fig. 3, Sheet 1.

page_text: Fig. 4 is a plan of the under side of the top plate with its springs attached.
Fig. 5 is a plan of the contact springs with the knife edge, herein-after
described, in the act of retaining two of the springs in their depressed position.
Figs. 6 and 7 are enlarged views of the wheel and spindle carrying the
spring or traveller, which passes over and makes contact with the circuit
pieces, herein-after referred to.
Fig. 8 is a section of the same, showing the insulations.
Fig. 9 is a front view, Fig. 10 a back view, and Fig. 11 a vertical section,
of the ivory block, containing the circuit pieces full size.
Fig. 12 is an elevation, Fig. 13 a transverse section, and Fig. 14 a longitu-
dinal section, of the commutator, placed on the spindle of the armature.
The same letters of reference refer to corresponding parts in the various
views of this machine.
A, an armature with its bearings as, placed opposite the poles of a perma-
nent or electro magnet, and maintained in a constant state of revolution by a
line or cord passing over a pully placed on its spindle.
B, pinion placed upon the axis of the armature.
C, commutator, also placed thereon, on one end of which is a collar C',
for the alternating current;
Sheet 2, upon which runs the contact spring
the other connexion of the commutator is to the metal of the spindle C,
to the metal of the whole instrument.
and
D, wheel driven by the pinion, making one revolution for seven; the axis of
this wheel carries two cams.
E, the cams, which once in every revolution throw the lever (F).
F, the lever carrying the knife edge (H), and making the contacts for the
"direct" current, as seen in section (Fig. 4, Sheet 1; Fig. 2, 3, Sheet 2).
G, spiral springs, whose office is to convey the "direct" current to the
contact points P upon the lever, while they also act mechanically as springs
to draw it back after the throw of the cam, and to retain it until the next
throw. These spiral springs, insulated from the pillars P, which support them,
are in metallic connexion with-the-springs-that receive the "direct" current
from the commutator C..
II, the knife edge, which, carried by the lever F, takes at each throw
of the cam such of the contact springs as have been under pressure of the
fingers, and holds them down out of circuit during the printing of the entire
letter, when it releases them and takes others in like manner.
I, springs, which represent and are in connexion with line wire, and earth
respectively; they are tipped at the proper part with platinum, and are made
to receive at one time the contacts from the "alternating" current_at

page_text: spring S, and at another those from the "direct" R, R, without, however, for
a moment breaking contact; the contacts are changed, but never broken. The
relative positions of the springs and their contacts at different times as seen in
(Fig. 4), Sheet 1, and (Figs. 2 and 3), Sheet 2.
K, springs, whereby short circuit can be made or broken at pleasure, con-
nected by wires leading to the various circuit pieces, as hereafter shown.
When any one of these springs is in contact with the metal of the instru-
inent, the short circuit, is completed, and the current intercepted at the
instant that the traveller T in its revolution arrives at the corresponding
circuit piece X.
I, studs, fitted with under springs, and playing loosely in the top plate of
the instrument with which they are in contact; the lower ends of these studs
are tipped with platinum, and receive the pressure from the contact spring
K while at rest, which contact is broken whenever the knife edge takes the
spring for the printing of the letter, as seen in (Fig. 4), Sheet 1.
M, under springs, to ensure the quick return of the studs to their proper
position after use.
N, a frame or arm, which, by the presence of a stud N¹, may be made to
depress all the contact springs K, while it holds out the lever F for one or
more entire revolutions, thus giving "direct" currents continuously; this may
be used for additional signals, the full stop, &c., &c. There is also another
arrangement of contacts placed side by side with this, for reversing the
currents at pleasure, by pressure upon a stud O, seen on the upper part of the
instrument.
P, platinum contact points for "direct" current, mounted on the lever and
insulated by ivory.
Q, contact points for "alternating" currents, mounted upon fixed arms and
insulated.
R, contact springs for the "direct" current, furnished with platinum friction
rollers pressing upon the commutator.
S, contact spring for the "alternating" current, with platinum friction roller,
pressing upon a continuous collar on part of the commutator.
T, a shaped arm, insulated, and fixed upon the axis of the wheel, for the
purpose of carrying the traveller.
U, Ushaped spring, carrying a platinum roller U', which traverses the
circuit pieces, and is the means of establishing at any part of the revolution a
hort circuit with any given one of them.
W, an ivory. block containing the platinum circuit pieces X.

page_text: Y, a contact spring, pressing upon a collar Y, in connexion with the
(T and U) traveller, and completing the short circuit by a wire to the spring S.
Z, the permanent magnet.
The mode of action of the magnets electric decomposition printer is as
follows:-
The current from one end of the armature A, which is sent always to metal,
(except during the action of the cam E and lever F, when the current from the
commutator C is used, as before described. The current from the other end
of the armatures wire is taken off from the collar (c) by the spring and roller S,
and being in direct continuous contact with the line wire spring I, would
always travel, were it not drained off by making short circuit to metal. This
draining off occurs continually at the points 4, Fig. 5, Sheet 2, where the
contact springs touch the studs in connexion with the top plate) until any given
contact spring is taken by the knife edge H, and held out of circuit during the
printing of the letter; the currents generated during the single revolution of
the armature corresponding with the passage of the traveller over the circuit
pieces, which is thus thrown out of circuit, are therefore allowed to travel
because of the short circuit having been thus broken. The throw of the cam E
and lever F is automatic, and the currents during this time are not under the con-
trol of the short circuit arrangement, while every current generated between throw
and throw is wholly under the control of the studs 4 and circuit pieces X.
The recording apparatus used with the decomposition printer is represented
half size in side and front elevation at Figs. 1 and 2, on Sheet 6 of my Drawings.
The prepared paper A is wound on a drum or bobbin A', and is forced over a
carrying drum B, which is kept moist or wet by running in the small trough
of water C. The carrying drum is rotated slowly by the cord and pulley D,
which is actuated by a treadle, or other suitable mechanism, which also drives
the armature in Figs. 1 and 2, Sheet 1 of my Drawings. The tracker or
style E may be composed of a watch spring or needles, and is supported by a
pillar F, insulated from the carrying drum. The carrying drum is in con-
nexion with the earth, and the tracker or trackers-in-connection-with-the-line
wire, as shewn in my Drawing.
Fig. 6, on Sheet 1 of my Drawings, represents the form of alphabet I
propose to adopt in conjunction with the decomposition printer; and Fig. 7
represents a word spelt out by the apparatus. The letter blanks are divided
at equal distances by a square or slightly elongated black mark A. The
different letters are produced by one or more strokes or marks, placed in
different positions within the letter blanks, each blank being divided into five

page_text: imaginary parts, shewn by dots, and numbered in the Drawing. Fig. 1 on
Sheet 3 of my Drawings represents a vertical section of my "relay" or receiving
magnet, full size; Fig. 2 is a corresponding transverse section of the same;
Fig. 3 is a plan of the apparatus; and Figs. 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8, are enlarged
details of the same, which will be herein-after more fully referred to.
A, an electro-magnet of the usual form, wound with fine wire.
B, small compound horse-slíoe permanent magnet, shewn in detail at Figs. 4
and 5, on an axis working on points, and carrying small platinum contact
bieces B
embracing the poles of the small permanent magnet, and capable of adjustment
as to distance by means of screw and slot.
E, contact screws, shewn in detail at Fig. 8, insulated from the plate M,
and tipped with platinum, to receive the currents conveyed by the metal of the
permanent magnet A.
K, binding screws in connexion with the wires of the electro-magnet for line
wires.
H, binding screw for local battery wire, giving current to metal and thence
to small permanent magnet.
F and G, binding screws for platinum contacts E', which receive the current
from metal of permanent magnet.
The mode of action of this "relay" is as follows:-It responds to every throw
of the alternating current. Its movements are restrained and regulated by the
screws E, which at the same time are the means of conveying the local
battery current to its destination. The metal of the spindle C, and of the small
permanent magnet itself, form part of the circuit of the local battery current:
When the alternating current ceases to pass, the small permanent magnet B
is held by residual magnetism in the position which it had assumed during the
passage of the last current, and thus gives a continued contact for the local
battery; it does not respond to repetitions of the same current. Fig. 9 on
the same Sheet of Drawings represents a full-sized plan of my second form of
"relay" Fig. 10 is a corresponding side elevation of the same; and Figs. 11
and 12 are details of the armature and support thereof; and Figs. 13 and 14
are enlarged vertical and horizontal sections of the contact pillar herein-after
referred to.

page_text: C, magnetized steel armature, shewn in detail at Figs. 1 and 12, vibrating
between pole pieces B, having an opening in its centre to receive the ivory pillars
and contacts, as shewn, Fig. 12.
D, axis of the armature.
E, pillars, shewn in detail 11 and 12, supporting the axis D, and forming
electric connection from the platform L with the axis D to the armature C.
F, ivory pillar, forming the banking for the armature C, having on its
opposite sides platina contacts F2, which make contact alternately with wires G
and H.
G and H, terminals in connection with the local battery.
I, terminals giving local battery current to metal of platform.
K, terminals in connexion with the magnet wires.
Mode of action of the second form of relay is as follows:-The travelling
current actuating the two electro-magnets produces powerful attraction of
the magnetised armature in one direction and repulsion in the other. When
the current. ceases to pass, the armature is held by residual magnetism in the
position which it assumed during the passage of the last current; it gives
contacts for the local battery in a manner similar to that already described for
the first relay.
Fig. 1 on Sheet 4 of the Drawings represents a plan view of the simple
automatic commutator, half size; Fig. 2 is a full-sized side elevation of the
same, with the case removed; Fig. 3 is a corresponding transverse vertical
section of the same; Fig. 4 is a plan half size of the under side of the case,
shewing the connections of the various wires; Fig. 5 is a plan of the com-
mutator, full size; Fig. 6 is a full-sized plan of the needle; and Fig. 7
represents an enlarged elevation of the upper portion of the needle spindle.
A, magnetic needle.

page_text: end of the spindle B permanently, and in the revolution is "taken off" by the
contact friction wheels D alternately, in opposite directions, once in each
revolution, as will be obvious on inspection. These currents pass by means of
the friction rollers to the helices c, and produce an automatic revolution of the
needle, the speed of the needle being regulated by various lengths of the helix
wire, governed by a switch J, which calls into action one or more lengths of
the helix wires, according to the speed required, and is under the control of
the operator. When using intensity current it is made to pass through the
relay to line wire; but when quantity current is used for exciting an induction
coil the relay is placed between coil and line.
com-
Fig. 1 on Sheet 5 is a full-sized side elevation of my "automatic
mutator with the essential part of the decomposition printer combined; Fig. 2
is a corresponding plan of the same; Fig. 3 is an enlarged longitudinal section
of the magnetic needle and insulated spindle; Fig. 4 is a transverse section of
the spindle; Fig. 5 is an enlarged end view of the star wheel, circuit pieces, and
traveller, herein-after referred to; and Fig. 6 is a corresponding side elevation
of the same.
A, a magnetic needle.
B, the axis, divided into two parts, insulated from each other, with a non-
conducting break piece composed of agate B¹ at each end, running upon the
contact wheels E, F.
C, the helices of the usual form.
D, friction wheels, insulated from the plate, which bear the ends of the axis
of the needle, and which also give the battery circuit to them.
E, F, contact wheels, also insulated from the plate and from each other,
which take the current from the commutator in an alternating form.
G, an arm or lever fixed upon the axis, at opposite sides of which and
opposite to each other are two pins H, I.
K, a star wheel of eight teeth.
L, an arm or "single tooth" on the same axis as the star wheel.
M, the traveller, on the same axis as the star wheel.
N, the ivory block with circuit pieces.
O, check spring, for preventing the star wheel from moving more than one
tooth at a time.
P, cocks, insulated from the plate supporting the axis of the star wheel.
Q, insulated safety spring, to ensure good contact with the pivots of the
wheels, working somewhat loosely in their bearings. .
R, frame plate supporting the whole.
The mode of using the automatic commutator with the above arrangement

page_text: is so similar to that of the previously described decomposition printer as not to
require a second detailed explanation here; the magnet A, Fig. 8, Sheet 3,
which-pulls the iron B, being excited by a battery contact made with the circuit
piece on which the traveller M, Figs. 5 and 6, Sheet 4, rests, after the throw by
the single tooth L in each revolution.
Fig. 7 on Sheet. 5 of the Drawings represent. a side elevation, full size, of
the vertical needle for the printer, and Fig. 8 is a corresponding edge view of
the same.
A, magnetic needle, suspended on its axis between the plate B, on which.
the helices D are screwed, and cock C.
E, banking screw, against which the needle strikes.
F, contact hammer, for giving a momentary contact at I, suspended on the
needle A by the spring G.
:
H, set screw to regulate the distance of hammer from needle.
I, contact screw, insulated from the plate B.
This vertical needle is placed in the same local battery circuit as the driving
inagnet No. 1, herein-after described on Sheet 5 of my Drawings, and is a
necessary part of the type printer, its mode of working. being herein-after
described in the description of the type printer's action:
Fig. 3, on Sheet 6 of my Drawings, represents a back elevation of my type
printer, full size; Fig. 4 is a corresponding side elevation of the same; Fig. 5
is a front view of the apparatus; and Figs. 6, 7, 8, and 9 are separate details
of the same, which will be, herein-after described.
This type printer consists essentially of the following parts:-
First, the relay, which, though described in the previous part of this Speci-
fication, and illustrated by Sheet 3 of my Drawings as a. separate instru-
ment, is a necessary integral part. rather than an accessory of this instrument,
inasmuch as it actuates by its contacts the whole of the apparatus.
2nd, the driving magnet, propelling the type wheel by means of a ratchet
wheel-on a divided axis, consisting of two parts, of which one part revolves
always in one direction, whilst it admits of the other returning to blank by a
retrograde action, immediately after the printing of any letter.
Third, the vertical needle, for the purpose of giving the contact for the
printing magnet.
Fourth, the printing magnet, which lifts the drum that carries the paper, so
as to press the paper against the type wheel at the proper time, the drum
being also so arranged as to draw the paper.
Fifth, the magnet employed to produce the retrogade movement of the type
wheel, and which also provides for the breaking of the line wire contact till

page_text: Seventh, the dial indicator, giving visible signals at the moment of transmission.
Eighth, the key board.
No. 1, driving magnet, (A, Fig. 7, Sheet 5,) vertical needle, which is in the
same local circuit as the driving magnet.
No. 2, printing magnet.
No. 3, safety magnet.
Figs. 3, 4, and 5, permanent horse-shoe magnet. B, poles of driving electro-
magnet; C, axis of permanent magnet; D, ratchet wheels for step-by-step
movements; E, type wheel, shewn detail, Fig. 7; E', twin wheels; F, cock on
back plate; G, brass disc, shewn in enlarged detail at Fig. 6; H, second
axis extending to front of frame; H³, front bridge; K, spiral spring; L,
traveller; 'M, ivory disc; N, drum for printing; Q, framework for drum, and
shewn in front view, Fig. 9; R, insulated spring for safety magnet; S, fixed
click; T, safety lever; U, trigger for discharging safety lever, shewn in detail,
Fig. 8; V, W, lines from the relay and line wire respectively.
The action of printing is as follows:-The generator of the currents, as
before described, refer Fig. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7, Sheet 4, being under the
control of the key board at the distant station, sends alternating travelling
currents, which are received by the receiving magnet or relay, Fig. 1, 2, 3,
Sheet 3, herein-before described. The movements of the relay give alter-
nating local battery currents to magnet No. 1, and in like manner to the coils
of the vertical needle A, Fig. 7 and 8, Sheet 5, being in the same circuit with
the local battery.
Magnet No. 1 receives the currents, giving a vibrating or oscillating motion
to the permanent horse-shoe magnet A. at the extremity of its poles B. C, the
axis of the magnet, carrying the lever C¹ and steel clicks B, for the purpose of
urging forward by a step-by-step movement the small ratchet wheels D beneath
them, each containing thirty teeth, or as many teeth as there are characters
on the type wheel, and placed side by side, one upon the back axis E² of the
type wheel, and the other pivotted into the bridge F and frame plates fixed
upon the same axis; and working in each other are two wheels E³, of any equal
number of teeth, which move simultaneously and in union with the ratchet
wheels. As the latter are pushed round alternately by the clicks B', this motion
carries round the axis E, extending half way through the frame, and having on

page_text: its inner end a disc of brass G; the axis is drilled down a short distance at G¹
to receive the end of a second axis H, extending through the frame to a bridge
Hat front of the frame, the pivot at H¹ being left sufficiently long to admit of
its sliding endways within the recess drilled in the end of the axis E. The
disc of brass G on the axis E has three screw pins G2, placed at equal
distances, corresponding with thirty small chamferred holes G³, in the side of
the type wheel, and which are intended to carry round the type wheel, whilst
they also admit of the type wheel and its axis H passing freely past them,
when the axis H and type wheel are drawn back and returned to zero by the
action of the spiral spring K. The axis H also carries a small hand. I, which
moves over a dial indicating the letter to be printed, and a traveller L, whose
end or platinum roller traverses an ivory disc M with circuit pieces, which are
in connexion with the studs of the key board, and are intended to short
circuit the currents. The axis H also carries a spiral spring K insulated, the
other end of which is screwed to the bridge H, and by its conical form and
tension has a twofold use, videlicet, to draw back the axis H from the points of
the screw pins G2, and at the same time to return the type wheel to starting
point or blank.
The letters are engraved on the periphery of the wheel and placed in the
order of their value, the most useful letters requiring the shortest movements
to arrive at the point of printing. Beneath the type wheel E will be seen the
drum N, over which passes the paper N¹ to receive the impression, by the drum
N being drawn up by the attraction of magnet 2, or printing magnet. This
magnet is charged as follows:-The vertical needle A, 7 and 8, Sheet 5, is so
adjusted that it cannot readily respond to the rapid alternating currents until
the continuous current is held by the relay, (Fig. 1, 2, 3, Sheet 3,) which
occurs at the instant the traveller arrives at the circuit piece in connection with
the depressed stud of the key board, when the vertical needle is energetically
thrown, as before described, against the banking screw E, Sheet 5, causing the
head of the small hammer E at the bottom of the needle A to momentarily
touch-the-contact-screw-I, charging-the-magnet-2, and instantly causing the
soft iron axis of the drum N to rise the framework Q, carrying the drum forms
at its end Q' contact for the line wire, which is broken for an instant on the
rising of the drum frame, and in its return it gives, by means of the ratchet
ceth N. on the drum (coming in contact with an insulated spring at R), a
momentary contact to the safety magnet 3, the fixed click S forcing round the
drum N, in order to shift the paper.
On the drum falling, contact is restored again at Q'; the safety magnet 3
momentarily attracts the bar T', drawing back the lever T, and allows the

page_text: spiral spring K to draw out the axis H of the type wheel E from the brass disc
G and screw pins G 2, returning the type wheel to its original point. A small
trigger U presents the return of the lever T to its position until the type wheel
has reached zero, when the arm I' strikes off the trigger U, and then the lever
T resumes its position, forcing the axis H and type wheel E upon the screw
pins on the disc G, when the motion of the type wheel is resumed. As the
axis H progresses in its onward rotation it winds up the spiral spring K, in
readiness for returning the type wheel when the releasing moment takes place.
The movements in this instrument during the printing of any letter are as
follows:-
The generator of the currents gives us an uninterrupted succession of
alternating travelling currents. The relay through which these must pass
give alternating local battery currents in like manner through the driving
magnet and vertical needle, which are both in the saine circuit. The driving
magnet receives these, and carries forward the ratchets and type wheel, till the
traveller arrives at the circuit piece corresponding to the letter touched upon
the key board, when short circuit is completed and the travelling currents.
drained off. The relay ceasing to receive these currents is held over by residual
magnetism, giving contact for a continual battery current; this holds the type
wheel still, meantime the vertical needle, which is so adjusted that it cannot
readily respond to the rapid alternating current, is forcibly thrown by the
continued current now passing, and is made to give a momentary contact for
the printing magnet. The drum now rises and strikes the paper upon the
type wheel and falls again; in rising it breaks the line wire for an instant,
and in its return it is made to give a momentary contact for the safety
magnet.
This safety magnet, in the act of releasing the type wheel for its retrograde
movement, breaks the line wire again, and holds it broken by means of a trigger
piece until the type wheel has completed its return to blank, by which move-
ment the trigger is discharged; therefore, when both instruments are ready,
and not till then, the current may pass again, because the line wire is then
complete. The action is the same at both transmitting and receiving stations,
with the single exception of the short circuiting, which of course does not take
place at the receiving station, the keys not being used.
current.
Fig. 9, Sheet 4, is a side elevation of a magnet for earth contact for earth
The magnet A is wound with quantity wire, and there is placed
opposite to its pole pieces a keeper of soft iron B, suspended on an axis, and
kept at a proper distance by means of a tension spring B'; when in action it
strikes against the insulated banking stop C, and in so doing makes the required

page_text: contact between the metal of the keeper and the contact point contained in the
banking stop C.
The mode of use is, that the magnet, being placed in the circuit of the "short
circuit wire," receives its impulse at the instant that the travelling current is
drained off from the line wire; it then momentarily establishes a direct comi-
munication between line and earth wires, in such a manner as to admit of 'a
"recoil earth current" passing in that direction without going through the
relay and embarrassing the instrument. As soon as the short circuit is broken,
again this magnet returns to its previous passive condition, no longer makes the
contact between line and. earth wires, and in no way interferes. with the
travelling currents.
Figure 10, on Sheet 4, represents the mode of obtaining "infinitessimal
earth contacts," and Figures 11, 12, and 13 are modifications of the same.
A, A, are platinum wires welded into a glass tube B, as.shewn, and connected
with line and earth wires respectively.
The glass tube B contains distilled water or other fluid, as may be required.
Figure 14 on Sheet 4 is a plan, and Figure 15 a sectional elevation, of the
key board in use with the type printer; the metal work is in connection with
the short circuit earth wire.
A, the various studs or keys, one of which is devoted to each letter.
B, the frame plates, in which the studs or keys work with spiral springs to
insure their return.
C, contact screws fixed in an under plate, and insulated, to each of which
is led separately a wire from its corresponding circuit piece.
The mode of action of this key board will be best seen by reference to the
diagram, No. II., Sheet 8, the metal work and all the studs or keys being in
permanent contact with earth wire by means of the short circuit earth wire
S, C, E. If we press down any one of the studs upon its contact screw, the
earth connection is made good up to the corresponding circuit piece, and as the
traveller by means of the spiral springs is permanently in connection with short
_circuit line wire S, C, L, it needs but the arrival of the traveller at the appro-
priate circuit piece for the completion of the short circuit required.
Thus, this circuit is capable of being made or broken at two places, at both
of which it must be closed before its action can commence. The first of these is
at the key board, and is of course dependent on the will of the operator; the
second is at the traveller and circuit pieces, and is wholly automatic, and
dependent on the arrival of the traveller..
Diagram I., on Sheet 8 of my Drawings, represents the general arrangement
of the mode in which the short circuit is. made use of in the type printing.

page_text: apparatus. The essential parts concerned in this action are sketched in
skeleton outline.
The battery current, after passing through the commutator, travels by line
wire and earth, unless diverted into the short circuit channel, at the points
indicated S, C, E, & S, C, L, where branch wires are seen coming from line and
earth wires. The earth connection being made at the key board, the arrival
of the traveller at the corresponding circuit piece closes the short circuit with
the line wire, and arrests the movement of the relay, upon which all the rest
depend.
Diagram II. gives: in the same manner the essential parts of the short
circuit arrangement in the decomposition printer.
The current generated in the armature goes at one end to metal, and at the
other to a collar on the commutator. From a spring resting on this collar the
line wire rises; the mass of metal is in connection with earth wire. The short
circuit is established at the points marked S, C, E, S, C, L, to earth and line
wires respectively, by the pressure of the contact springs against metal at the
one place, and the arrival of the traveller at the corresponding circuit piece in
the other. The springs, if allowed to remain passive, drain off the currents
represented by their respective circuit. pieces by short circuit, but when taken
by the lever and held out of contact, as seen in the diagram, the currents
travel; and the mark is-made upon the paper.
Fig 1, on Sheet 7, is a sectional elevation of a cast-iron trough, with square
divisions cast in the sanie, to contain the nitric acid.
Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same, shewing the porous or wooden cells, to
contain the dilute sulphuric acid and the zinc plate.
Figs. 3 and 4 are elevation and plan of single iron cells, with the porous
pots and zincs, shewing the mode of connection in series by the contract of
the zinc plate with the iron cell, by means of a small cup of mercury.
In Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4, A is the iron trough or cell. The connexion of the
zine plates G are made by means of an insulated brass trough D filled with
mercury, upon which the curved end of the zinc plates rests; the binding
screws E, at one end of this trough or bar being the means of connexion for
all the zinc, and the other screws F being the connexion with the iron of
the cell. It will thus be seen that any of the porous cells or zinc plates may
be moved for cleansing or other purposes without for a moment interrupting-
the proper use of the battery.
B, the porous pots or wooden cells.

page_text: E, the binding screws, carrying the current from the zinc plates C.
H, a binding screw for the iron giving an insulated mechanical support to
the bar.
Fig. 5 is a side elevation of a long series intensity battery; and Fig. 6 is a
corresponding plan of the same.
A, the gutta percha bank or frame, on which are fixed the gutta percha cells
A, containing the perforated fillet A².
B, the plates of zinc and silver soldered together at the top, constituting the
Smee plate.
C, the junctions or hooks in connection with the terminal plates of each
bank or row of the battery.
D, the hooks, upon which the junctions and banks are suspended.
E, the binding straps or clamps, placed upon pillars of wood covered with
gutta percha, and admitting of being moved up and down upon the pillar.
E¹, binding screw to fasten the clamps to the pillar.
G, terminals of battery.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried
into effect, I would observe, in conclusion, that I do not confine or restrict
myself to the precise details or arrangements which I have had occasion to
describe or refer to, as many variations may be made therefrom without
deviating from the principles or main features of my said Invention; but what
I consider to be novel and original, and therefore claim as the Invention secured
to me by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent, is,-
First, with reference to the alphabet and symbols, described in the Specifi-
cation of my former Patent, of the Twelfth of December, One thousand eight
hundred and fifty-three, I claim the peculiar arrangement and construction of
alphabet and symbols, modified and adapted, as herein-before described and
illustrated on Sheet 1 of my Drawings, to the use of a single wire recording
_telegraph, in accordance with the mode in which such marks or symbols were
used in my former Specification, herein-before-referred to, (whereby a person
accustomed to read the one can readily understand the other,) by means of an
automatic division of the receiving paper into letter blanks or letter lengths, in
and upon which blanks or lengths the marks forming or representing the
letters and symbols are deposited, as herein-before described, the entire letter
being printed by a single touch, though several consecutive marks may be
necessary for its formation. I also claim the use of my herein-before described
alphabet and symbols, as now modified and arranged for a single wire, for the
purpose of recording telegraphic communications, as herein-before described.

page_text: Second, the general construction and arrangement, as well as the mode of
using the instrument, herein-before described as my magneto-electric decom-
position printer, whereby the letters and symbols in use under my former
Patent are made available for transmission by a single wire, a single touch
only of the studs or keys being required, though several successive marks be
necessary for the formation of the letter. I claim also the general form and
arrangement as well as the detail of the traveller and circuit pieces, herein-
before described, which I have adopted as a means of automatically making
and breaking "short circuits." I further claim the mode of using alternating
currents, as before described.
Third, with regard to that part of my Invention which relates to the directing
and controlling of electric currents without breaking contact, I would observe
that I am aware that the use of the "short "circuit," as a means of diverting
an electric current from an instrument or part of an instrument in connexion
with the line wire, either at the transmitting or receiving station, is not new;
that several modes of using it have already been patented and made public;
therefore what I claim as novel is, the mode I adopt of applying the short
circuit to telegraphic purposes, wherein a succession of rapid alternating
currents derived from any generator of magneto-electricity, or the currents
derived from a battery by the aid of a commutator (as herein-before described),
are made available by automatically short circuiting at the proper moment
those currents not intended to travel, in the manner herein-before described,
for the purpose of producing their effects, either by direct action or indirectly,
by mechanically calling into play a local battery at the distant station. I also
claim the mode, herein-before described, of applying the same principle for the
removal of the inconvenience arising from the effects of "induction or "earth
current," or recoil current in under ground and submarine wires, by auto-
matically short circuiting those currents, the induction or recoil from which
might interfere with the integrity of the indication and due working of the
apparatus.
"
Fourth, the construction and arrangement as well as the mode of using the
receiving magnets or "relays" especially fitted to actuate my recording and
printing apparatus, by mechanically calling into play local batteries, as herein-
before described.
Fifth, the mode of receiving dispatches from several stations simultaneously
upon the same slip of paper, without risk of interference with each other, as
herein-before described.
Sixth, the construction, arrangement, and mode of use of my automatic com-
mutator, which is such as to give the command of a battery current thrown into

page_text: the alternating form by the revolution of a magnetic needle. I likewise claim
the use of this arrangement in combination with the essential parts of my
electric decomposition printer. And I further claim the use of the traveller,
&c. circuit pieces; as a means of automatically making and breaking contact
for electric currents.
Seventh, the construction and general arrangement of the dial indicator and
type printer, herein-before described, or any modification thereof, actuated by
one or more local batteries mechanically called into play primarily by the action
of the travelling current upon the "relay" or receiving magnet, and secondarily
by other, movements resulting therefrom. I claim also the use of the same
instrument divested of those parts which effect the retrograde movement of the
type wheel, as a progressive step-by-step forward moving dial indicator and
type printer.
Eighth, the modes, herein-before described, of dispersing and neutralising
and of removing the difficulties arising from the induced or earth current in
subterranean and submarine telegraph wires.
In witness whereof, I, the said Edward Orange Wildman Whitehouse,
have hereunto set my hand and seal, the Second day of December, One
thousand eight hundred and fifty-four.
EDWARD ORANGE WILDMAN WHITEHOUSE. (L.S.)