IMPROVEMENTS IN TRANSMITTING, AND RECORDING TELEGRAPH SIGNALS, AND PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION
Year: 1873

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Frederick Henry Varley, of the Firm of O. and
F. H. Varley, of Mildmay Park Works, Stoke Newington, in the
County of Middlesex, Telegraph Engineer, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN TRANSMITTING, AND RECORDING TELEGRAPH SIGNALS, AND
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Frederick Henry
Varley at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition, on the 27th June 1873.
I, FREDERICK HENRY VARLEY, of the Firm of O. & F. H. Varley, of
Mildmay Park Works, Stoke Newington, in the County of Middlesex,
Telegraph Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Inven-
tion for "IMPROVEMENTS IN TRANSMITTING AND RECORDING, TELEGRAPH SIGNALS,
AND MEANS OF TRANSCRIBING, AND APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH," to be as
follows:
The object of this Invention is to secure uniformity of signals and
afford a greater facility for receiving and transcribing signals, so as
to reduce the error of transmission and the personal errors due to

page_text: transcribing the message or signals by the receiving clerk or mani-
pulator. In order to effect this I employ a moving arm or arms which
are made of steel magnetized, or soft iron arms or arm rendered magnetic
by induction which move in a uniform field of magnetic rays, so that
the deflection of these arms or arm shall be definitely proportionate to
the amount of electric force traversing through the coils, which are
specially constructed so that the motion of the arms or arm aforesaid,
shall be at right angles to the rays of the permanently induced
magnetism in such a manner that the polar influence shall be equal
whatever position the arms or arm may be deflected, so that the pure
force of the current traversing the coil alone has influence upon the
motion of the arms or arm.
The induction and uniform field of magnetic rays is only employed to
give sensitiveness and intensity to the magnetism developed in the arms
or arm aforesaid, and to maintain the intensity when hardened steel
magnets are employed for the moving soft iron induced magnetic arms
or arm. This is applicable to receiving signals or messages by the
three well-known methods, viz., visual, audible, and permanently recorded
either by marking or embossing the paper.
The system of visual signals requires an effort of memory on part of
the receiving clerk who has not only to read off the message but to
write it down at the same time, thus requiring him occasionally to look
from the dial of the indicating instrument to the paper upon which the
message is transcribed, and if he lose a signal he has either to guess the
letter intended or call for its repetition, involving loss of time, or subject
the message to the risk of mutilation. For this reason audible signalling
instruments have in many cases supplanted the visual telegraphs, as
they enable the receiving clerk to read off the auricular message whilst
transcribing the message or signals, but they are subject to the
disadvantage that when two or more instruments are in the same office
the sound of one instrument interferes with the auricular reading of the
other. I therefore employ the combination of audible and visual signals
in conjunction with permanently recorded signals in such a manner as
to present at one view the dial of the instrument, the paper slip, or any
other suitable material upon which the signals are recorded with the paper
or tablet upon which the same is transcribed; this I effect by visually
superposing the image of the dial or receiving slip aforesaid, so as to be
presented to view in one direction of sight in an analogous way to the

page_text: Vision of objects thrown upon paper by the camera lucida; by this
means visual and auricular facultics are brought into play simultaneously
whilst transcribing and receiving the message.
To obtain more distinct double vision I employ a novel form of camera
lucida, which admits of adjusting the luminosity of the image and the
transcribing tablet or paper on which the image is superposed, so that
the images seen by reflection and transmission can be rendered to view
equally distinct; (for the sake of brevity) I term this part of the Inven-
tion a "
gyrograph." It depends upon the principle of alternately
substituting reflection and transmission of light in rapid succession, so that
the object seen by reflection is successively being presented to the retina
of the eye in sufficiently rapid intervals of time for the retention of the
image by the retina to produce a permanent impression, whilst the
transmitted vision is simultaneously submitted to the retina, so that the
reflected image is caused to appear superposed upon the objects seen by
transmission. I effect this by using a circular plane of silvered glass,
mounted upon a suitable spindle or axle, by which the plane can be
rotated perfectly truly. I remove portions of the silvering from the
glass, so that on giving rotation to the plane each portion of the disc is
brought under the eye, viz., the reflecting and transparent portions of
the disc. I rotate the disc preferably at an angle of 45°, and otherwise
employ it the same as a camera lucida, but it is more manageable than
the last-named instrument.
I sometimes substitute for the silvered glass a reflecting disc cither of
speculum, metal, polished silver, steel, or any suitable reflecting
rface either plane or curved.
In order to effect the combination of audible and permanently record-
ing signalling instruments the mark or signal produced is presented to
the view simultaneously to the sound read off by the ear, by which the
faculties of vision and hearing are called into action in unison, relieving
the mental fatigue of the receiving clerk. This I effect by causing the
paper strip to move along an arm having a roller at its extremity, so
that the paper travels under and over the arm aforesaid. This arm is
attached to an armature mounted on an axle, and placed in proximity to
the poles of an electro-magnet, so that on the passage of a current the
arm is brought in contact with the inking or marking wheel. The axle
of the armature and paper roller turn upon one common centre. The
paper roll, driven by means of clockwork in the usual way, draws the

page_text: paper slip over the rollers; the paper on passing is arranged to be at the
same angle on each side of the moving arm. As these form an arc of a
circle no strain is put upon the arm when the paper is brought against
the wheel aforesaid. The mark is produced at the end of the arm where
the paper passes over the small roller. The length of the strip of paper
before it passes under the paper roll driven by clockwork is sufficient to
present an ordinary word to view, and concurrent with the sound
produced by the beating of the armature against the adjusted stops the
mark is seen to enter into view over the extremity of the arm furnished
with the small roller aforesaid. Over the strip of paper at the point
where the marks are produced I place a reflector at a suitable angle to
reflect the image into the "gyrograph."
I sometimes cause the rotary plane of the gyrograph to rotate by
connecting it to the train work employed to move the strip of paper,
but I generally prefer to drive the gyrograph by indépendent wheel
work.
I use in conjunction with the above a new form of battery, which
consists of a fluid-tight chamber open at the top, made preferably of the
negative element. Over the sides on the exterior and interior a porous
substance or fabric is employed as a capillary syphon to establish electro-
chemical continuity between the exterior and interior chamber aforesaid.
This chamber is placed in an outer chamber which contains the positive
elements. On charging the two chambers with clectro-chemical exciting
fluids a current of electricity is established when the two elements are
connected together.
If sulphate of copper be employed as the negative salt, and acidulated
water or sulphate zinc solutions as the positive exciting agent, the
copper salt remains in the chamber, where it is decomposed, and the free
acid passes over by means of the capillary syphon to maintain the
chemical activity of the battery. I sometimes do not use a separate
chamber for the negative element, but make a compartment with a
partition made of the negative element, which serves the purpose of the
chamber aforesaid, by which means the electro-chemical excitants are
kept mechanically separate, whilst the electro-chemical continuity is
effectively established. By this arrangement I obtain a very constant
battery having small internal resistance.

page_text: SPECIFICATION filed in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters
Patent, and of an Order of the Lord Chancellor, by the said Frederick
Henry Varley in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 6th January
1874.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, FREDERICK
HENRY VARLEY, of the Firm of O. and F. H. Varley, of Mildmay Park
Works, Stoke Newington, in the County of Middlesex, Telegraph
Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-seventh day of June, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-three, in the thirty-
seventh year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said Frederick Henry Varley, Her special
licence that I, the said Frederick Henry Varley, my executors, ad-
ministrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Frederick Henry
Varley, my executors, administrators, and 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 TRANSMITTING AND RECORDING TELEGRAPH SIGNALS, AND
MEANS OF TRANSCRIBING," upon the condition (amongst others), that I, the
said Frederick Henry Varley, my executors or administrators, by an
instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and
scals, 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 Scal Patent Office on or
before the Sixth day of January One thousand cight hundred and
seventy-four.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Frederick Henry Varley, 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:—
The object of this Invention is to secure uniformity of signals and
afford a greater facility for receiving and transcribing signals so as to

page_text: reduce the error of transmission and the personal errors due to
transcribing the message or signals by the receiving clerk or manipu-
lator. In order to effect this I employ a moving arm or arms, which
are made of steel magnetized or soft iron arms, or arm rendered
magnetic by induction, which move in a uniform field of magnetic rays,
so that the deflection of these arms or arm shall be definitely pro-
portionate to the amount of electric force traversing through the coils,
which are specially constructed, so that the motion of the arms or arm
aforesaid shall be at right angles to the rays of the permanently induced
magnetizm, in such a manner that the polar influence shall be equal
whatever position the arms or arm may be deflected, so that the pure
force of the current traversing the coil alone has influence upon the
motion of the arms or arm.
The induction and uniform field of magnetic rays is only employed to
give sensitiveness and intensity to the magnetizem developed in the arms
or arm aforesaid, and to maintain the intensity when hardened stcel
magnets are employed for the moving soft iron induced magnetic arms
or arm. This is applicable to receiving signals or messages by the three
well-known methods, viz., visual, audible, and permanently recorded,
either by marking or embossing the paper.
The system of visual signals requires an effort of memory on part of
the receiving clerk, who has not only to read off the message, but to
write it down at the same time, this requiring him occasionally to look
from the dial of the indicating instrument to the paper upon which the
message is transcribed, and if he loose a signal he has either to guess the
letter intended or call for its repetition, involving loss of time, or subject
the message to the risk of mutilation. For this reason, audible signal-
ling instruments have in many cases supplanted the visual telegraphs,
as they enable the receiving clerk to read off the auricular message
whilst transcribing the message or signals. But they are subject to the
disadvantage, that when two or more instruments are in the same office
the sound of one instrument interferes with the auricular reading of the
other. I therefore employ the combination of audible and visual signals
in conjunction with permanently recorded signals, in such a manner as
to present at one view the dial of the instrument, the paper, slip, or any
other suitable material upon which the signals are recorded, with the

page_text: paper or tablet upon which the same is transcribed; this I effect by
visually superposing the image of the dial or receiving slip aforesaid, so
as to be presented to view in one direction of sight in a analogous way
to the vision of objects thrown upon paper by the camera lucida, by
this means visual and auricular faculties are brought into play simul-
tancously, whilst transcribing and receiving the message.
To obtain more distinct double vision, I employ a novel form of camera
lucida, which admits of adjusting the luminosity of the image, and the
transcribing tablet or paper on which the image is superposed, so that
the images seen by reflection and transmission can be rendered to view
equally distinct; (for sake of brevity) I term this part of the Invention
a "gyrograph." It depends upon the principle of alternately sub-
stituting reflection and transmission of light in rapid succession, so that
the object seen by reflection is successively being presented to the retina
of the eye in sufficiently rapid intervals of time for the retention of the
image by the retina to produce a permanent impression, whilst the
transmitted vision is simultaneously submitted to the retina, so that the
reflected image is caused to appear superposed upon the objects seen by
transmission. I effect this by using a circular plane of silvered glass.
mounted upon a suitable spindle or axle, by which the plane can be
rotated perfectly truly. I remove portions of the silvering from the
glass, so that on giving rotation to the plane cach portion of the disc is
brought under the eye, viz., the reflecting and transparent portions of the
disc. I rotate the disc preferably at an angle of 45°, and otherwise
employ it the same as a camera lucida, but it is more manageable than
the last-named instrument.
I sometimes substitute for the silvered glass a reflecting disc, either of
speculum metal polished, silver, steel, or any suitable reflecting surface,
either plane or curved.
In order to effect the combination of audible and permanently.
recording signalling instruments the mark or signal produced is
presented to the view simultaneously to the sound read off by the ear,
by which the faculties of vision and hearing are called into action in
unison, relieving the mental fatigue of the receiving clerk. This I effect

page_text: This arm is attached to an armature mounted on an axle, and placed in
proximity to the poles of an electro-magnet, so that on the passage of a
current the arm is brought in contact with the inking or marking wheel.
The axle of the armature and paper roll turn upon one common centre;
the paper roll driven by means of clockwork. in the usual way draws the
paper slip over the rollers. The paper on passing is arranged to be at
the same angle on each side of the moving arm. As these form an arc
of a circle no strain is put upon the arm when the paper is brought
against the wheel aforesaid. The mark is produced at the end of the
arm where the paper passes over the small roller. The length of the
strip of paper before it passes under the paper roller driven by clockwork
is sufficient to present an ordinary word to view, and concurrent with
the sound produced by the beating of the armature against the adjusted
stops the mark is seen to enter into view over the extremity of the arm
furnished with the small roller aforesaid, over the strip of paper at the
points where the marks are produced I place a reflector at a suitable
angle to reflect the image into the “ œvrocranh "

page_text: I sometimes do not use a separate chamber for the negative element,
but make a compartment with a partition made of the negative clement,
which serves the purpose of the chamber aforesaid, by which means the
electro-chemical excitants are kept mechanically separate whilst the
electro-chemical continuity is effectively established. By this arrange-
ment I obtain a very constant battery having small internal resistance.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS EXEMPLIFYING THE MEANS
WHEREBY I CARRY my InvenTION INTO EFFECT.
In order to carry my Invention into effect I employ a helix or helices
surrounding a soft iron corc, the two poles of which iron core are con-
nected together to complete the magnetic circuit, and isolate the internal
influence of the helix or helices, which is of the opposite character to
the magnetism developed on the interior of the helix or helices when-
ever a current is passing through the wire.
Figures 1 and 2 show an arrangement. M, M, are permanent magnets
of a horse-shoe form with one pole of each marked N, N, of much
greater length than the other poles marked S, S; H, H, are two helices
surrounding the iron cores I, I, K.
Fig. 3 shows the keeper or magnetic connector affixed to the two poles
I, I, of the soft iron core for completing the magnetic circuit; A, a, is a
moving needle or magnetic conductor or armature, which conveys tho
magnetism by induction along its whole length to "a." The keepers K
are affixed to the pillar "P" attached to the long poles marked N, N,
and convey a uniform polarity to each end of the iron core I, I. The.
magnetic rays pass at right angles through the exterior of the helices to
the iron cores I, I, on the passage of a current around the helices in the
direction shown by the arrows. The arm or needle A, a, is deflected, as
shown by Figures 2 and 3, in the same way as a magnetic needle is.
deflected when a current of electricity is made to pass through a conductor.
placed in the direction parallel to the magnetism of the needle. The.
arm being deflected by the exterior magnetism of the helices moves
across a uniform field of magnetic rays, as shown by the dotted lines,
Fig. 2. The axis of the motion allows the needle to be deflected evenly in
the space between the two helices, so that whatever position the needle:
be deflected it shall be equally distant from the opposite polarity of the
soft iron cores I, I, which are rendered uniformly magnetic. by the.

page_text: keeper K, K, conducting the magnetism from the pole N, N. As by de-
flection the needle "A, a," does not approach or recede from the magnetic
influence of the permanent magnets the pure force of the current tra-
versing the helices alone determines the deflection of the needle whilst
the permanent magnetism is so disposed to give the greatest possible
concentration of magnetism in the moving needle "A, a," as the mag-
netic potential developed in the core is equalized, so as not to interfere
with the exterior magnetism of the helices, and also affords a convenient
means of bringing the opposite magnetism approximately close to the
moving needle, by which is obtained a powerful inductive influence.
As by this means a powerful uniform and sensitive indicator or motor is
obtained I prefer to employ it for the following purposes:-To move the
indicating needle for visual telegraphs to actuate the beating arm in
audible and permanently recorded signals; also for actuating the
moving arms of secondary instruments for closing or opening local
circuits, which instruments are generally termed relays.
Figures 1, 2, and 3 show an arrangement in which the ordinary needle
and coil of a single needle or visual telegraph is replaced by the uniform
magnetic field induction needle coil.
Figure 4 shows an instrument complete, fitted with the gyrograph or
rotary reflector by which the receiving clerk is enabled to see the
image visually superposed on the paper upon which he transcribes the
message.
Figure 5 shows the plan of the transmitting portion of the instrument;
L is a block of metal carrying the spring L', L"; E is a similar block
placed in front with a small space for insulation, and carries the
springs E¹ and E"; I and I¹ are two blocks of insulating material
fastened on to each of the springs E¹ and E"; B is a contact piece
for allowing the current passing from L" to make contact with the
spring E when the instrument is in the receiving position, but the
insulating blocks may be attached to the L' and L" springs; C is an
axle connected to the copper pole of the battery, it has affixed to it a
stud or projection so that when the handle H is forced over to the right
the copper pole of the battery is brought in contact with the line circuit
and forces over the earth spring E" against the zinc contact Z³,
which forms an abutment arresting the movement of the handle;
by this means I am able to obtain a more uniform pressure of both

page_text: the carth and line contacts, for if both pairs of springs are made
light the contacts are made with equal certainty in this position of the
handle (right) the positive current is sent into the line, but if the
handle is forced to the left the copper contact is brought in connection
with earth through the connecting spring E¹, the zinc current then flows
into line and thus arranged it is suitable for codeing as an ordinary
single needle instrument, but affords a means of obtaining more reliable
contacts than the latter instrument as hitherto arranged.
'
In order to effect the combination of audible and permanently
recording signalling instruments the mark or signal produced is presented
to the view simultaneously to the sound read off by the car by which
the faculties of vision and hearing are called into action, in unison,
relieving the mental fatigue of the receiving clerk. This I effect by
causing the paper strip P, Figure 6, to move along an arm having a
roller R at the extremity, so that the paper travels over and under the
arm aforesaid; this arm is attached to an armature a mounted on an axle
and placed in proximity to the poles of an electro-magnet E, E, so that
on the passage of a current the arm is brought in contact with tho
inking or marking wheel W; the axles of the armature and paper roll
turn upon one common centre C; the paper roll M driven by means of
clockwork in the usual way draws the paper slip over the rollers;. the
paper on passing is arranged to be at the same angle on each side of the
moving arm, as these form an arc of a circle no strain is put upon the
arm when the paper is brought against the wheel W aforesaid; the mark
is produced at the end of the arm where the paper passes over the small
roller R the length of the strip of paper before it passes under; the paper
roll driven by clockwork is sufficient to present an ordinary word to
view, and concurrent with the sound produced by the beating of the
armature against the adjusted stops S, S, the mark is scen to enter into
view over the extremity of the arm furnished with the small roller R
aforesaid.
Over the strip of paper at the point where the marks arc produced I
^ That suitable anale to woflent the imame into the cou

page_text: generally prefer to drive the gyrograph by independent wheel work, as
shown in Figure 8, in which C is a train of clockwork mounted in the
base of the stand, to which is attached the two arms or brackets A and T,
the arm or bracket A carries at its extremity a spindle with a rotary
reflector G, the drum D driven by train work has a groove turned
in its periphery for driving the elastic band E, which passes over the
rollers P, P, on the bracket T communicating rotary motion to the
mirror G; this mirror is shown by G in the same Figure, but of the size
I prefer using.
Figure 9 shows the reflecting surface employed for throwing the
image of the message strip on to the rotary reflecting surface of the
gyrograph; it consists of two thin prisms of glass, silvered on one
surface, as shown by the dotted line R; P is a prism, for correcting
the refractive dispersion, the wedge or prism reflector being employed
to throw off the secondary reflection.
Figure 10 shows the arrangement I generally prefer to work long
curcuits; M is the receiving instrument; B is the secondary instrument
or relay; G, galvanometer to indicate the sending current; K, the
reversing key for charging and discharging the line and actuating and
controlling the arm of the secondary instrument or relay for opening
and closing the local circuit. This key is specially constructed so as
to reduce the amount of motion requisite to obtain the required
alternations of current in rapid succession with less fatigue. to the
manipulator.
Figure 11 shows the key in clevation; Figure 12, in plan; Figure 13,
the arrangement for adjusting the play of the contact springs C, Z',
Z', C¹, which are attached to the metal blocks C, Z, and Z', C'; E, E¹,
are two earth contacts, making alternate connection with back and
front springs C¹, Z, whenever the key is raised or depressed; if the
key is raised the contact B is pressed into connection with the upper a
spring Z by the force exerted by the spiral spring S forcing the spring Z
down, and by means of the insulated block also forcing at the same time
the lower C contact spring into connection with the earth contact E;.

page_text: the key is depressed the contact piece B¹ is connected to the upper
spring C, and forces down the lower spring Z¹ into connection with
the earth through the contact piece E¹; in this position the copper or
positive current is sent into the line, and the zinc or negative current
flows into the earth or return circuit; by limiting the play of the
springs C, Z, and Z, C, by means of the adjustment screws A, shown
in clevation, Figure 13, and in plan, Figure 12, and by limiting the
swing of the contact bar K only a small amount of motion is requisite
for obtaining the necessary alternation of current, this limitation being
effected by adjustment screw contact B; S is a switch for connecting
the line circuit with the relay, shown in Fig. 10, when receiving a
message, and is actuated in the well known usual methods.
I use in conjunction with the above a new form of battery, which
consists of a fluid-tight chamber open at the top, made preferably of the
negative element. Over the sides, on exterior and interior, a porous
substance or fabric is employed as a capillary syphon to establish
electro-chemical continuity between the exterior and interior of the
chamber aforesaid. This chamber is placed in an outer chamber which
contains the positive clement. On charging the two chambers with
electro-chemical exciting fluid a current of electricity is established when
the two elements are connected together.
If sulphate of copper is employed as a negative salt, and acidulated
water or sulphate of zinc solution as the positive excitant agent, the
copper salt remains in the chamber where it is decomposed, and the
liberated acid passes over by means of the capillary siphon to maintain
the chemical activity of the battery. I sometimes do not use a separate
chamber for the negative element, but make a compartment with a
partition made of the negative element, which serves the purpose of the
chamber aforesaid.
Figure 14 shows the form of cell in section. C is the negative
element; P, the partition;, S, S, capillary siphon; Z, positive clement;
W, C, and W, Z, the negative and positive electro-chemical excitants.
By this means the electro-chemical excitants are kept mechanical
separate, whilst the electro-chemical continuity is effectively established
through the porous siphon S, S, S, S. By this arrangement I obtain
a constant battery of small internal resistance.

page_text: 11, 12, and 13.
8th. The arrangement of battery for securing mechanical separation
and chemical continuity between the positive and negative electric
excitants, as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Frederick Henry Varley, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this Fifth day of January, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-four.
FRED. HENRY VARLEY. (L.S.)
Witness,
T. MORGAN,
Secretary,
Inventors' Patent Right Association, Limited,
21, Cockspur Street,
Charing Cross.