Telex
Introduction
Telex, or teleprinter exchange, is a communications system that was developed in the late 1920s and became widely used in the mid-20th century. It was the first network to implement automatic routing, making it a significant milestone in the development of modern telecommunications. The system used teleprinters, which are electromechanical typewriters that can send and receive typed messages via communication channels, typically in the form of telegraph or telephone lines.
History
The Telex system was first developed in Germany in the late 1920s as a method of routing telegrams. The system was designed to replace the manual switchboard systems that were prevalent at the time. The first public telex service was launched by the German Reichspost in 1933. The system quickly gained popularity and by the 1940s, telex networks had been established in many European countries.
In the United States, the telex system was introduced by Western Union Telegraph Company in 1958. The system was initially used for internal communications within the company, but it was soon expanded to provide public services.
Technology
The telex system used a range of technologies to transmit and receive messages. The core technology was the teleprinter, an electromechanical device that could send and receive typed messages. The teleprinter was connected to a communication channel, typically a telegraph or telephone line.
The teleprinter used a system of codes to represent each character. The most common code used was the Baudot code, a binary code that was developed in the late 19th century. Each character was represented by a series of five bits, which could be transmitted over the communication channel.
The telex system also used a system of automatic routing. When a message was sent, the sender would dial a code that represented the destination of the message. The system would then automatically route the message to the correct destination.
Usage
The telex system was widely used for business communications in the mid-20th century. It was particularly popular in industries that required rapid and reliable communication, such as the shipping and aviation industries.
The system was also used for news reporting. Many news agencies used telex to send reports from their correspondents to their headquarters. The system was also used by governments for diplomatic communications.
Despite the advent of more modern communication technologies, the telex system remained in use in some areas until the late 20th century. In some countries, the system is still in use today for certain applications.
Decline and Legacy
The popularity of the telex system began to decline in the late 20th century with the advent of more modern communication technologies. The introduction of fax machines and later, email, provided faster and more convenient methods of communication.
Despite its decline, the telex system has left a lasting legacy. It was the first network to implement automatic routing, a feature that is now a fundamental part of modern telecommunications networks. The system also played a significant role in the development of modern data communication standards.