Overview:
This book, written by Edward E. Kleinschmidt, a pioneer in the printing telegraph field, is a detailed history of the development of printing telegraphy. The book recounts the story of the early printing telegraph systems, the quest for a more efficient code, and the eventual triumph of the permutation code and the start-stop principle. Kleinschmidt details the contributions of key inventors, including himself, Charles L. Krum, Howard L. Krum, and J. E. Wright, and their companies. He discusses the key advancements that led to the creation of the Telex and TWX intercommunicating systems, which revolutionized communication by allowing direct point-to-point connections between teletypewriters.
The book also highlights the impact of advancements in technology, such as the standardization of 60-cycle alternating current and the advent of transistors, on the development of more sophisticated and efficient printing telegraph systems. The book concludes with a look at the future of printed communication, emphasizing the rapid advancements in electronics and data processing that are shaping the industry.
Key Findings:
- The printing telegraph industry experienced a lengthy period of experimentation and development before finding commercially successful models.
- The development of the start-stop principle was crucial for establishing a reliable intercommunicating telegraph system.
- The use of the five-unit permutation code offered significant advantages in efficiency and standardization.
- The standardization of 60-cycle alternating current allowed for simpler and more reliable synchronization between teleprinters.
- The invention of the transistor revolutionized the design and capabilities of printing telegraphy.
- The Telex and TWX systems ushered in a new era of direct, point-to-point communication by printed word.
Learning:
- The History of Printing Telegraphy: Learn about the early days of printing telegraphy and the inventors who paved the way for modern communication systems.
- The Development of the Start-Stop Principle: Understand how this critical innovation enabled the creation of reliable intercommunicating systems.
- The Importance of Code Standardization: Learn how standardization of the five-unit permutation code facilitated worldwide connectivity.
- The Impact of Technology Advancements: Discover how advancements in power technology and electronics influenced the evolution of printing telegraphy.
- The Evolution of the Printing Telegraph: Track the key milestones in the development of the printing telegraph, from early models to modern high-speed systems.
- The Significance of Telex and TWX: Understand how these intercommunicating systems changed the landscape of communication.
- The Future of Printed Communication: Explore the future of the field, including the increasing role of electronics and data processing.
Historical Context:
The book describes the development of printing telegraphy within the context of the late 19th and 20th centuries. The development of the telegraph itself, along with advancements in electrical engineering and the rise of the railroad industry, provided fertile ground for the development of printing telegraphy. The book also highlights the increasing demand for more efficient communication systems driven by the growth of businesses and industries, particularly the news industry and the stock market. World War II also had a significant impact on the development of printing telegraphy, driving innovation and advancements in military communication systems.
Facts:
- Early Printing Telegraph Systems: The earliest printing telegraph systems used various types of code-signaling devices with varying lengths for different letters.
- Samuel Morse’s Code: Morse code, invented in 1837, was adapted for international use and became a widely-used audible communication language.
- The Permutation Code: The permutation code, using combinations of five pulses, was proposed by Gauss and Weber in 1833.
- Jean Maurice Emile Baudot: In 1882, Baudot designed a multiplex system for transmitting four messages in each direction over a single line circuit.
- Western Union Multiplex: Western Union adopted a modernized version of the Baudot Multiplex, called the Western Union Multiplex, in 1911.
- The Murray Alphabet: The Murray alphabet and 7½-unit code were adopted for international teleprinter communication.
- The Kleinschmidt Keyboard Perforator: Invented in 1911, this device punched Morse code into tape for high-speed transmission.
- The Morkrum Blue Code: The Morkrum Company initially used a four-unit-code system for their printing telegraph system.
- The Morkrum Green Code: The Krums later developed a five-unit-code, start-stop system, known as the Morkrum Green Code.
- The Morkrum No. 12 Typebar Page Printer: This printer used the typebars and operating mechanism of the L. C. Smith typewriter.
- The Morkrum No. 11 Tape Printer: This compact printer was popular for local message service.
- The Teletypesetter Company: The Teletypesetter Company, founded in 1928, developed a system to operate typesetting machines directly from the telegraph.
- Telex: The Telex intercommunicating teleprinter system, using the five-unit code and start-stop principle, spread rapidly across Europe in the 1930s.
- TWX: Bell Telephone Companies introduced TWX (TeletypeWriter eXchange) service in the U.S. in 1931.
- The Transistor: Invented in 1948, the transistor revolutionized the design and capabilities of telecommunications.
- Data-Phone: The Bell System introduced Data-Phone service in 1958, enabling the transmission of data over telephone circuits.
Statistics:
- The Western Union Multiplex: The Western Union Multiplex increased operating efficiency and came into extensive use throughout the system.
- The Morkrum Green Code: The Morkrum Green Code replaced the Blue Code printer at Associated Press and other installations.
- The Morkrum No. 12: The No. 12 was installed at Western Union, some railroads, the Chicago Police, and by Postal Telegraph on intercity circuits.
- Telex: There are nearly 1,000,000 Telex subscribers throughout the world.
- TWX: There are approximately 54,000 subscribers to TWX.
- The Kleinschmidt TT-4: The TT-4 tactical page printer was made standard for the U.S. Military in 1949.
- The Kleinschmidt Model 311: This Electronic Data Printer operates at speeds from 60 to 400 words per minute.
Terms:
- Permutation code: A code system using combinations of pulses to represent characters.
- Start-stop principle: A method of synchronization where a start signal initiates the transmission of each character, followed by the code and a stop signal.
- Synchronous operation: A system where both transmitter and receiver operate at identical speeds for accurate code transmission.
- Telex: A worldwide intercommunicating teleprinter system.
- TWX: A teletypewriter exchange service in the U.S.
- Data-Phone: A Bell System service allowing data transmission over telephone circuits.
- Teletypesetter: A system that operates typesetting machines directly from a telegraph circuit.
- Teletypewriter: A device for transmitting and receiving printed messages over a telegraph circuit.
Examples:
- Western Union Multiplex: Western Union adopted the Murray Multiplex for efficient transmission over trunk circuits.
- The Morkrum Blue Code: The Associated Press adopted the Morkrum Blue Code printer for news distribution.
- The Kleinschmidt Keyboard Perforator: The Kleinschmidt perforator was used by Western Union, cable companies, and the U.S. Government for high-speed Morse transmission.
- The Morkrum No. 12: The No. 12 was installed by the Postal Telegraph Company for intercity circuits.
- The Teletypesetter Company: The Teletypesetter Company developed a system to operate Linotype or Intertype machines directly from the telegraph, initially funded by Frank E. Gannett.
- The Kleinschmidt TT-4: The Kleinschmidt TT-4 tactical page printer was adopted by the U.S. Military for field communications.
- The Kleinschmidt Model 311: This Electronic Data Printer is designed for high-speed communication and data processing systems.
Conclusion:
Edward E. Kleinschmidt’s book, “Printing Telegraphy… A New Era Begins,” is a fascinating journey through the history of printing telegraphy. The book chronicles the tireless efforts of inventors and engineers who overcame numerous challenges to create a revolution in communication. Key innovations, including the start-stop principle, the five-unit permutation code, and the standardization of 60-cycle alternating current, paved the way for the creation of intercommunicating systems like Telex and TWX.
The book concludes by looking towards the future of printed communication, highlighting the exciting potential of electronics and data processing. With the development of high-speed printers, data transmission systems, and the widespread adoption of computers, the future of printing telegraphy is full of possibilities. The legacy of these early pioneers continues to shape the way we communicate today.