A Brief History of the Fax Machine

Summary

The 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.