PHOTOS BY WIRELESS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20307, 15 July 1929, Page 12

PHOTOS BY WIRELESS.

TRIALS IN AUSTRALIA.

REMARKABLE INVENTION.

[FROM our own correspondent. ] SYDNEY, July 1. "Tap-tap-tap." Without fuss, and with even less noise than a typewriter, it is possible to transmit a photograph across space. The wonder apparatus, the Fultograph, which makes this possible has been demonstrated with great success in Sydney and Melbourne, under the auspices of the Amalgamated Wireless (Australasia), Limited. Soon it will be tested between the two cities, and it is feared that it will make obsoleto the picturegram service about to be inaugurated by the I'ost and Telegraph Department. by which it will be possible to transmit pictures and the like over the telegraph wires. The Fultograph is capable of transmitting photographs, printed news items, finger-prints —in fact, anything that can be photographed. The transmission can be effected cither by telephone line or by wireless. A notable featuro of the process is the simplicity of reception. Even a boy, it is claimed, can satisfactorily operate the receiving end. The apparatus consists of a photo-electric cell transmitter and a receiver. When photographs are transmitted by radio tho receiver is connected to tho sumo terminals ot tho radio set as tho loudspeaker. Another interesting point is that all signals denoting that tho photograph is being transmitted como through the loud speaker as audible sounds. Tho actual process is that a filnij negative is prepared from tho desired photograph and is wrapped round tho glass cylinder of tho transmitter. Jsy means of tho photo-electric cell varying currents according to tho light and shado of the negalivo arc sont out and picked lip b.v tho receiver, cither in tho samo room or hundreds of miles away. Tho receiver also has a cylinder, round which is wrapped a paper that has been dipped in a solution of potassium iodine. Tho receiver is synchronised with the transmitter arid a stylus through which tho electrical impulse is passed is placed on the sensitised iiapcii and produces the light and dark shades as tho cylinder revolves. Tho time of transmission does not exceed four and a-hnlf minutes. Distance makes no differenco to tho timo occupied, and tho nowcr used is no moro than is required for a distinct telepliono conversation. Tho apparatus was invented by Captain Fulton, It is now being mado in England, but later on it will ho manufactured in Australia. A complete machine for ono-way transmission is said to cost not moro than £BOO. Tho receiving portion alone would not cost moro than £35. Tho apparatus is now in practical uso by broadcasting stations in England and on the Continent, Daily news bulletins are now being sent out i" script from tho ltugby stations to ships at sea.