A Brief History of the Fax Machine

eFax

12 Jun 201902:32

Summary

TLDRThe fax machine's history dates back to 1843 with Alexander Bain's invention. It evolved through key innovations like the scanning photo Telegraph in 1880 and the TEL autograph in 1888. AT&T and RCA advanced it in the 20th century, with wireless and caller faxes. By 1960, the US Army sent the first satellite fax. Xerox introduced the first commercial fax machine in 1964. Prices dropped, and by 1982, the first computer-based fax was introduced. The internet fax service emerged in 1996, leading to modern smartphone fax capabilities.

Takeaways

📜 The first faxing device was invented by Alexander Bain in 1843, named the electric printing Telegraph.
🔍 In 1880, Shelford Bidwell invented the scanning photo Telegraph machine, capable of scanning and sending 2D images.
🖋️ Elisha Gray invented the Telautograph in 1888, enabling the transmission of signature images.
📞 AT&T advanced fax technology in 1924 by implementing wire transmission, and later, the Radio Corporation of America transmitted a wireless fax.
📺 Herbert E. Ives transmitted the world's first caller fax, which contributed to early television broadcasts.
⏱️ Over time, fax transmission time was significantly reduced from an average of six minutes to one minute.
🚀 In 1960, the US Army sent the world's first photograph via satellite facsimile from America to Puerto Rico.
🖨️ Xerox Corporation introduced the first commercialized version of the modern-day fax machine in 1964, using telephone lines.
💸 The cost of a fax machine was quite high in 1982, priced at $20,000.
💻 In 1982, the first computer-based fax, the Gamma Fax, was introduced by Gamal, Inc.
🌐 1996 marked the availability of the first internet fax service, allowing users to send and receive faxes via computer.
📱 By 2010, the classic fax machine became obsolete, with faxes being sent from smartphones.

Q & A

Who invented the world's first faxing device?
-Alexander Bain invented the world's first faxing device, the electric printing Telegraph, in 1843.
What was the first machine capable of scanning and sending a 2-dimensional image?
-The scanning photo Telegraph machine, invented by English inventors Shelford Bidwell in 1880, was the first machine capable of scanning and sending a 2-dimensional image.
What did Elisha Gray's TEL autograph invention allow users to do?
-Elisha Gray's TEL autograph invention in 1888 allowed users to send images of their signature over long distances.
How did AT&T corporation advance fax technology in the early 20th century?
-AT&T corporation advanced fax technology by faxing via wire transmission at the beginning of the 20th century.
Who transmitted the world's first wireless fax across the Atlantic Ocean?
-The Radio Corporation of America successfully transmitted the world's first wireless fax across the Atlantic Ocean.
What was the significance of Herbert E. Ives' caller fax transmission?
-Herbert E. Ives transmitted the world's first caller fax at the AT&T corporation, which would eventually play a key role in early television broadcasts.
How long did it take to transmit a fax on average in the past?
-In the past, fax transmission time was reduced from an average of six minutes to an average of one minute.
Which organization sent the world's first photograph via satellite facsimile?
-The US Army sent the world's first photograph via satellite facsimile from America to Puerto Rico in 1960.
Which company introduced the first commercialized version of the modern-day fax machine?
-The Xerox Corporation introduced the first commercialized version of the modern-day fax machine in 1964, using telephone transmission.
How much did a fax machine cost in 1982?
-In 1982, a fax machine would cost around $20,000.
When was the first internet fax service made available to the general public?
-The first internet fax service was made available to the general public in 1996.
How have fax machines evolved in terms of sending faxes from personal devices?
-The classic fax machine of the 1980s has become obsolete, and faxes are now routinely sent from Android and iOS smartphones.

Outlines

00:00

📄 The Evolution of Fax Technology

The fax machine has a rich history dating back to 1843 with the invention of the electric printing telegraph by Alexander Bain, which was the world's first faxing device. It was followed by significant advancements such as Shelford Bidwell's scanning photo telegraph in 1880, which could scan and send 2D images, and Elisha Gray's Telautograph in 1888, enabling the transmission of signatures. The 20th century saw further developments with AT&T's wire transmission fax and the Radio Corporation of America's wireless fax across the Atlantic. Herbert E. Ives transmitted the first caller fax, and the technology was integral to early television broadcasts. The transmission time was reduced significantly, and by 1960, the US Army sent the first photograph via satellite facsimile. The modern fax machine was introduced by Xerox Corporation in 1964, using telephone lines. By 1982, a fax machine was priced at $20,000, and the same year, Galilee Inc. introduced the first computer-based fax. The internet fax service became available in 1996, and by 2010, fax machines had become obsolete, with faxes being sent from smartphones.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Fax Machine

A fax machine is a telecommunication device used to transfer copies of documents and other data over telephone lines, converting the data into analog signals. In the context of the video, the fax machine is the central theme, tracing its evolution from the first faxing device invented in 1843 by Alexander Bain to modern internet fax services.

💡Alexander Bain

Alexander Bain was a Scottish inventor who, in 1843, invented the electric printing telegraph, which is considered the world's first faxing device. His invention laid the groundwork for future developments in fax technology, as highlighted in the video's historical overview.

💡Scanning Photo Telegraph Machine

The scanning photo telegraph machine, invented by Shelford Bidwell in 1880, was the first device capable of scanning and sending two-dimensional images. This invention was a significant step in the evolution of fax technology, as it allowed for the transmission of images, not just text.

💡TEL Autograph

The TEL autograph, invented by Elisha Gray in 1888, was a device that enabled users to send images of their signatures over long distances. This concept is showcased in the video as an early application of fax technology, demonstrating its utility in personal and professional communication.

💡Wire Transmission

Wire transmission refers to the method of sending data, such as fax images, through wired connections like telephone lines. The video mentions that AT&T advanced fax technology by enabling wire transmission, which was a pivotal development in the practical application of fax machines.

💡Wireless Fax

A wireless fax is a method of sending faxes without the need for physical wires, using radio waves instead. The video notes that the Radio Corporation of America transmitted a wireless fax across the Atlantic Ocean, showcasing the technological advancements that allowed fax machines to become more versatile.

💡Caller Fax

A caller fax is a type of fax transmission where the sender dials the recipient's fax number, and the machine answers and sends the fax. The video mentions that Herbert E. Ives transmitted the world's first caller fax, indicating the integration of fax technology with telephone systems.

💡Transmission Time

Transmission time in the context of fax machines refers to the duration it takes to send a fax. The video highlights the improvement in fax technology, reducing transmission time from an average of six minutes to one minute, emphasizing the efficiency gains over time.

💡Satellite Facsimile

Satellite facsimile is the transmission of fax images via satellite communication. The video recounts the US Army's milestone in 1960, sending the world's first photograph via satellite facsimile from America to Puerto Rico, illustrating the expansion of fax technology to global communications.

💡Xerox Corporation

The Xerox Corporation is a global corporation known for its developments in document management technologies, including the first commercialized version of the modern-day fax machine introduced in 1964. The video credits Xerox for bringing fax machines into commercial use, making them more accessible to the public.

💡Internet Fax Service

An internet fax service allows users to send and receive faxes via a computer and the internet, rather than a traditional fax machine. The video marks 1996 as the year when such services became available to the general public, indicating a significant shift towards digital and online faxing.

💡Smartphone Faxing

Smartphone faxing refers to the ability to send and receive faxes directly from a smartphone. The video notes the obsolescence of the classic fax machine of the 1980s and the rise of smartphone faxing, demonstrating the continuous evolution and integration of fax technology into modern devices.

Highlights

In 1843, Alexander Bain invented the world's first faxing device, the electric printing telegraph, predating the telephone.

In 1880, English inventor Shelford Bidwell created the scanning photo telegraph machine, the first capable of scanning and sending 2-dimensional images.

Elisha Gray invented the telautograph in 1888, allowing users to send images of their signatures over long distances.

In 1924, AT&T advanced fax technology by enabling faxing via wire transmission.

The Radio Corporation of America successfully transmitted a wireless fax across the Atlantic Ocean in the early 20th century.

Herbert E. Ives of AT&T transmitted the world's first color fax, contributing to early television broadcasts.

Fax transmission time was reduced from an average of six minutes to one minute over the years.

In 1960, the US Army sent the world's first photograph via satellite facsimile from America to Puerto Rico.

The first commercialized version of the modern-day fax machine was introduced by Xerox Corporation in 1964, using telephone transmission.

In 1982, a fax machine would cost $20,000.

Also in 1982, GammaLink introduced the first computer-based fax port, the GammaFax.

In 1996, the first internet fax service was made available, allowing users to send and receive faxes via computer.

By 2010, traditional fax machines became obsolete as faxes were routinely sent from Android and iOS smartphones.

AT&T and RCA's innovations in fax technology played a key role in the early development of television broadcasts.

The evolution of fax technology from wire transmission to wireless, satellite, and eventually internet-based systems marks significant advancements in communication.