Fax
History
The telegraph was the precursor to the fax machine, allowing for the transmission of messages over long distances. The first fax patent was issued in 1843 to a Scottish mechanic named Alexander Bain. Bain's design used a clock to synchronize the movement of two pendulums, enabling a letter to be scanned line by line. This was followed by the Pantelegraph, invented by Giovanni Caselli, which was commercially introduced between Paris and Lyon in 1865.
In 1902, Dr. Arthur Korn invented a system that could transmit photographs and graphics over telephone lines. This system was used extensively in news and entertainment, with newspapers using it to transmit photos. In 1924, Richard H. Ranger invented the wireless photoradiogram, or transoceanic radio facsimile, the forerunner of today's fax machines. The process involved photographing printed or typed pages and transmitting the image via radio waves. This technology was used to send a "radio photo" of President Calvin Coolidge from New York to London in 1924.
The modern fax machine, as we know it, did not come into existence until the late 20th century. In 1964, Xerox Corporation introduced Long Distance Xerography (LDX) as an improvement over the existing fax technology. This was the first commercialized version of the modern fax machine, combining a copier and a fax machine into one device.
Technology
A fax machine works by scanning a document into a digital format, then transmitting that information over a telephone line. The receiving fax machine then decodes the information and prints a copy of the document.
The scanning function is performed by a photo sensor, which reads one line of a document at a time. Each line is then converted into a series of electrical signals that represent the image. These signals are then modulated onto a carrier wave for transmission.
At the receiving end, the fax machine demodulates the signals back into a digital format. This data is then used to control a printer, which recreates the document line by line. The entire process, from scanning to printing, takes only a few seconds per page.
Usage
Despite the rise of email and other forms of digital communication, fax machines remain a common tool in many businesses. They are particularly prevalent in industries where documents need to be sent quickly and securely, such as law, healthcare, and finance.
In addition to transmitting documents, fax machines can also be used to send signatures, a feature that has kept them relevant in the digital age. Many businesses and government agencies still require signatures on certain documents, and faxing remains one of the quickest and most secure ways to transmit signed documents.
Future
The future of faxing is likely to be influenced by the continued development of digital technology. Internet faxing, or e-faxing, is already a popular alternative to traditional faxing. This technology allows users to send and receive faxes via email, eliminating the need for a physical fax machine.
Despite these advancements, it is unlikely that faxing will disappear entirely in the near future. The technology remains deeply ingrained in many industries, and the transition to digital alternatives is likely to be gradual.