NEW MACHINE SETS UP TYPE BY TELEGRAPH

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6802, 4 January 1929, Page 8

NEW MACHINE SETS UP TYPE BY TELEGRAPH

Device Demonstrated That Forecasts Revolution in Printing Trade. SHORTENS ROUTE OF NEWS TO PAGE Eliminates Human Operator of Typesetting Machine—Many Uses Foreseen.

ROCHESTER, N. Y. Tec. 6. , A telegraph wire operated two newspaper typesetting machines here today at the plant of tlic Rochester Times Union. Dispatches by wire were transferred mechanically directly into the machines, with human touch eliminated and were recorded in lines of metal type, each as long ns a news column is wide. The object of tho invention is to shorten tho time and work required to transfer news from the place where it occurs to the printed page. To-day’s operation was a private demonstration held in the presence of a gathering of men who direct largo printing and publishing enterprises. They were the guests of Frank E. Gannett, publisher of the Gannet Newspapers, who by his backing sponsored the invention. Walter W. Morey of East Orange, N. J., invented the machine, known as a teletypcsetteiy and tho Morkrum Kloinschmidt Corporation of Chicago built it. Equivalent to 140 Miles. The sending was done in the demonstration room to machines on the opposite side of the room, which were' operated simultaneously from the same wire. One was a Linotype and the other an Intertype. The short sending wire W'as made equivalent to a distance of 140 miles by resisting coils. The sender punched a tape, seveneighths of an inch wide, which operated the telegraph wire by sending impulses corresponding to the holes in the tape. At the receiving end an instrument a little larger than a typewriter produced a punched tape exactly similar to the sending tape. This receiving tape then ran automatically through a small electrical machine scarcely larger than a Boston bag, on a stand beside the type-setting machine. The littlo machine once more translated the tap holes into electrical impulses. The electric waves were carried by a wire to an apparatus roughly resembling a large human hand, fastened to the side of the typesetting machine. Each metal finger controlled a number of letters and characters of the typesetting machine, which it released ac- 1 cording to the impulse received, and when it gave tho release signal, the typesetting machine functioned exactly as if a human operator had pressed down the key for a letter or character. Like Automatic Printer. * The teletypcsctter is a dovelopment cf automatic telegraph printers, differing principally in but one respect, that it uses a tape with six punch units, instead of tho standard five units. The extra unit is required to cover all characters of a typesetting machine, which outnumber those of automatic "printers. The sponsors predict special value for tho teletypesetter in transmitting market quotations directly into type, and an opportunity for book publishers to save the expense of keeping large stores of metal type plates. Instead of the metal plates, the tape may be filed, ready for lerun when reprints are desired. One sending can operate an indefinite number of typesetting machines, either in tho same room or -in cities far apart. A receiving printer is provided, that without interfering with the automatic typesetting, enables an editor to read what is coming over 'the wire. The tcletypesettcr stops

automatically tlie moment anything stops the typesetting machine it feeds. Neal Dow Baker, president of the Intertype Corporation of New York, a guest, said: “The teletypesctter is a device of extraordinary ingenuity which appears destined to effect a substantial modification of the composing methods of daily newspapers. Its practicability is not to be seriously questioned. M Radio Possibilities. The possibility of operating typesetting machines by radio was discussed informally, but the builders of the machine said that feature is still in the experimental stages. The inventor of the teletypcsetter, Walter W. Morey, himself came up from the compositor’s case. He has worked at numerous jobs in the printing business, with experiences all the way from being broke enough to resort to carpentry for a living, to superintending mechanical plants and selling typesetting machines. Several year 3 ago, while conducting his own business in New York, he began working on the plans for the teletypesetter. Shortly thereafter he met Frank E. Gannett, the Rochester publisher, and joined forces with him in perfecting the machine. Morey has one other invention, a printing utility for cutting metal spacers. He was born in Green River, N. Y., in 1882, and mokes amateur photography his hobbv.

While the teletypesetter was designed chiefly to facilitate the transmitting of news over long distances, it is recognised by those identified with the printing industry that practically all branches of this field will be | affected. Is Extremely Simple. It is extremely simple, occupies little space, and can be attached to any existing standard typesetting machine, such as a Linotype or Intertype, with little more than an hour’s labour. It is not a typesetting machine in itself, but automatically operates such a machine by electrical impulses. While the cost of the device has not been announced, it is said by the inventors that the price will be reasonable. Although machines have not yet been produced for sale, and the public demonstration, Dec. 6, in the Rochester Times-Union Building was the first time those not' associated with the invention have been permitted to view its operation, one of the largest newspaper publishing firms in the country has asked the privilege of purchasing the first machines produced. It is expected that the machines will be offered for sale in about six months.

Experiments are now under way whereby the teletype, which records typewritten matter by telegraph, may be operated by radio, and upon the perfection of this apparatus, it is predicted tha't the time is not far distant when teletypesctting units will also be operated by radio. The teletypcsetter can bo used not only in transmitting messages at distances, but in newspaper and publishing plants for purely local work. The tape can be perforated and sent to the composing room to operate the typesetting machines. In newspaper offices, on the receiving' end, a mechanical “printer” will simultaneously typewrite the message that is being sent at the same time in perforated tape form. Editors thus will be able to edit the copy as they please.