' FIRST T V?H
S/l t
TH3 FIEoT EELECKAPH
_^
-1-
EHE PIK3I :H
/i. urTRODucuoir
The telegraph has linked together more closely the
different races of thi the band of tion,
has made it possible to transmit messages with the speed of
; md has brought into touch the remotest points on
the globe which places friends, relatives, and lovers ever
in reach of each other. The telegraph that has bound more
closely the kingdom of Sod was conceived, designed, and
forced on a skeptic world I nel ?. S. Morse, an irtist.
Perhaps Morse did not discover any new principle
ad though he did incorporate the ideas of friends and
associates, the invention was truly his. He conceived of
practical application of the discoveries of others ad
f'iith in his vision. He realized the value of such an in-
strument to humanity and suffered the privations of poverty
to make his gift of inestimable value. He never claimed
to have made any remarkable discovery in connection with the
telegraph but he did claim the invention of the first nracti-
e il telegraph. The world at large has accorded to Morse
linst the claims of many others the credit for the first
telegraph ana its inseparable companion, the Llorse Code.
TH RST TEL H
2, •'" rcrcciTi
s Jince the beginning of creation men have realized
t need for communication beyond the carriage of the voice \
but until comparatively recent there has been a limited -
of signals for distant communication, military operations
have had the greatest need of signals and have been the source
and Incentive for most of the semaphore.
King Agamemnon was net p.tisfied to send word of the
egress of the 3iege of Troy by the slow couriers. To send
the news of the battle to "rc-ece and his r ueen he nlanted
beacon fires on the tops of Lit. Ida, Mt. AthoB, Mt.Ci' n,
and intervening pc:nt3 of commanding height, Thu
the news of the Pall of Troy carried to far off Ireece. The
ly Egyptians and " used fire, smoke, to
transmit their mess tower to I a the >f
China signals were passed by light or by fl
x Probably the first marine signaling was done by
Theseus. When ; into battle he hoisted a black Bail.
If he wa; victor he hoisted a red sail. \fter one battle
he neglected to raise his red sail and his father iegeus
drowned himself believing his son killed.
The most common method of signaling was by couriers
or runners. The Greeks, Romans, and \ztecs used couri^
-3-
.t;
almost exclusively. In our own country the Pony Express Riders
were couriers. ".Then the distance wis too great ." ner
they had a relay of runners. This relay introduced a - ; 4 -
bility of errors. Errors were also : ble in the methods
used by the Persians and lauls. Sentinala were stationed
far apart as their voices would carry and thus the message
was carried from one sentinal to the oth< r, Ceasar sent the
news of the massacre of the Ho mans from Orleans to \uvergne,
j 11 stance of 150 miles by this method.
' The large mirrors of the " i - r^bably
used to send signals by light flashes. News of the Battle
of Marathon was conveyed I fc flashes from the shield
of the Persians. These methods were the forerunners of the
Heliograph using the Morse Code, Alt r the Ore at used
sound for the transmission of his me s .
■antic megaphone, a drawing of which is pres In the
Vatican.
Clepsydra was an ingeneous device for signaling
prearranged messages. T 3imilar I 'lied wit or
^nd ha' ' itlet faucets at the bott re re used,
it the sendir. 1 ther at the receiving . The
5S were printed on paper ' iplicate and placed at
the same points on the t*o tubes. The sending station
.-4-
.THE FIE3T TE3
. jwed a light when It was rejdy to give .. message,
the answering light from the receiving station was lit the
operators it both stations opened the faucets. The light
at the sending station was extingui 'he top of the
water column was opposite the desired message. The receiv-
ing station received the message by turning off the faucet
when the light went out, noting the position of the top
the column.
^ itch towers were built in many parts of the world
for distant communication and rapid transmission of signals.
re an w h.tA Gallic towers still standing in Franco.
Hannibal built many of them .nd Spain. Colored
tunics and . were often used in battle with prearran
meanings. The American Indians use. ":e puffs and arr
for their signals.
rere more needed than land signals,
and mere cult to convey. Until the middle of the
seventeenth century these signals were limited. Mes rs
were dispatched in small boats, but this method was si
and iaprac""' ttle. With the advent of naval gun3,
signal guns were conceived. Another method o .
f l a number of times from a yard I.
Either Admiral Sir '.Villiam Venn or Ja Lie
Duke of 5fork invented the signal flag used by the Lea.
■5-
THE FIBST TELEGRAPH
The position of one fl 3 varied. It was not until 1780
that \drniral Kerapenfeldt thought of adding other signal
flags which are still used. They consist of seta of alphabet,
numeral and special flags. Special combinations of letters
e used with code me * ;s. re is an international c
in use for intercommunication between ships of different
nations. Admiral Colomb devised the light flashes for night
jnals using the Mors* Code.
The TTig ystem is one of large application and
is still used because it is simple and does not require <my
instruments. It consist of a standard code depending on the
position of flags or arras. The popularity is shown by its
use in the Array, Navy, Boy scouts, and many other organiza-
ati ons.
at of the signals now in use were developed
after the 19th Century, using the Morse Code. The system
of communication of the German Irmy which was one of the
first to be highly systematized wae loped in 1902, . lals
by sight with the Morse Code became popular. The Hel;
graph was used in India and Africa by the British and especi-
ally in the British-Boer ifar. The British llavy used flashing
lights while the United States and other navies used fixed
colored lights. Host sight and sound signals have now been
displaced by Wireless with the exception of the Wig-Wag 3ys1
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THE FIRST TELEGRVPH
The disadv ; of most of those systems of go-
munication has been their limited application. In many cases it
was impossible with unfavorable atmospheric conditions. ',7hen
it was cloudy, foggy, raining, snowing or hailing the trans-
si oa of messages by light or in any way dependent on sight,
.ired or impossible, in the cU a and hue of battle,
sound signals were impracticable, liven the most ingenious
devices were not good for any distance er.ee pt by relays which
introduced errors and occupied time. Therefore it was not
until the advent of the electric telegraph that distant com-
munication was made _, . . Ible under all circumstances and
, ad enough to be of rrj e.
dl OF TKLEaiaPH
,i telegraph was impossible or if possible im-
practical without electricity, because of its intricate machinery
and the serious effects of natures obstacles. Therefor the
history of the telegraph is the history of electricity and
magnet! sm.
It was many centuries ago that a Gfreek Jhepherd
:nes discovered lodestone. It was pro
his name that the attractive properties der' Its name.
The ancient people knew of the property of amber 'tract
straw,- The term electricity came from the (Jreek word
.T_
3JHE FIE3T ?H
Jluctron meaning amber. Chinese and Persians experimented
with lode stone. The Romans knew that lode stone would attract
iron even through a stone wall. Magicians of ancient times
often mystified their subjects by the application of the
netic property of lodeatone. Benjamin Franklin with 1
iotiff kite demonstrated that frictional and atmospheric
electricity were one and the same thing.
The first conception of an electric telegraph
t be credited to an unknown author of the eighteenth
century. in article appeared in the Scots 'Jagasine on
February 17, 1755 signed by G. '..:. proposing or suggesting
an electric telegraph. His plan was to use one wire for
each letter of the alphabet and have staticly charge discs
it the receiving station ffith each letter which would he
attracted by the opposite charge transmitted over the wires.
The battery was invented in the nineteenth century
."rrnishing a practical source of electricity. Hans Christian
Oersted of Denmark discovered that electricity flowing in a
conductor produced a magnetic field at right anglss I ts
direction of flow. Oersted made this discovery when he noted
that a compass needle was deflected when it r. . :-ught near
a wire conducting electricity. \ Frenchman named impere
found that this magnetism could be Increased by passing cur.
through a coiled conductor. ?a,raday unearthed the principle
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THI-: FIRST TELEGRAPH
of the dynamo, showing a conductor moving in a magnetic field
aid produce electricity. Sauss and '.7eber used this principle
for a telegraph by having a magnetic key generate current
In a line and ittract a magnet it the sending station the
motion of which was magnified by a mirror.
Steinheil U3cd a call bell, made a recorder of
dots and dashes on a ribbon of paper, and also was the
first to use the earth as the return circuit. Davy used
a needle telegraph with galvanic current. \rago discovered
th bar of soft iron could be magnified by placing it in
a coil and passing a current through the coil. There seems
to be a difference of opinion as to who invented the relay.
Towers gives Davy the credit for the Invention while Horsford
says that Morse made this discovery. Several authors attribute
the relay to Joseph Henry's efforts.
/ Though every principle embodied in the electro-
magnectic telegraph as patented by Morse had been demonstrated
before he used it, it is reasonable to suppose that he re-
discovered some of them. The knowledge of electricity was
not very well circulated and fev,' men had a complete knowledge
of the field.
4. THE LIFE OF MORSE
Since Llorse did more than anyone else to give us
satisfactory method of communication and suffered so actuely
-9-
THE FIRST TE\ "E
in making us appreciate the blessing, it seems "but justice
to include a brief sketch of his life,
Samuel Finley Breese Morse was born at Charlestown,
Mass. in 1791. It is interesting to note that his birth-
place was a mile from that of Benjamin Franklin, another
giver of gifts. He was of Puritan stock. Ills father who
was English was a divine and the author of the first notible
geography. It the age of seven he went to school in Indover,
Mass. and prepared for Phillips Academy. After graduating
from the academy he went to Yale. 7/hile there he gained
his first knowledge of electricity. Morse attended Pro-
fessor Day's lectures and experiments on electricity and
was interested. Jeremiah Day was professor of natural
philosophy and Imericas ablest teacher. The principle which
interest him the most was that electric fluid was made visible
when the circuit was interrupted. Though he was midly in-
terested in these experiments his main interest was art.
V7hile still at Yale he painted minatures for $5. a piece
and this helped defray his expenses. He graduated from
Yale in 1810 and devoted himself to the study of art while
depending on his parents for support. He became the friend
and pupil of "Washington Alls ton, a famous painter. In the
year 1811 he accompanied Ulston to England. In London he
met /feet, a painter of world-wide reputation. At the suggest-
ion of '//est he entered in a contest or exhibition, a model
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THE EI EST TELEGMPH
of Hercules which he
had made for a painting; he won the
offered pri se,
. Morse
lived in London during the war of 1812
and though he
lived
in poverty he was unmolested.
As the
man who was destined
to make communication nearly
instantan-
eous left for
home,
the news of the defeat of Napo
lean reach-
ed London two
days a
,fter the occurrence. Upon hi a
return to
arica he be<
:ame a
wandering painter and made his
li"i ng
painting portraits.
In 1818 he went to Charleston
, >j . L • ,
following the advice of his uncle. He was properous
Charleston and married Lucre ti a '.Valkf-r of Concord, I'.Y.
\fter four year of success in the South he returned North
md again faced failure. He could not sell his large historical
paintings though he could make a living by painting portraits.
In 1825 shortly after nis return north his wife died. He
assisted in organizing the National Academy of Design and
was elected its first president. In 1829 he left for Europe
on his second trip and soent three years principally in
Paris and Rome.
5. . . AND THE TELEGrAPH
On the packet ship oully, the birthplace of the
tele graph, Morse returned from France. It the luncheon
table Dr. Charles E, Jackson exhibited an electro-magnet
he had procured in Europe and performed some experiments.
Morse discussed with Dr. Jackson and other passengers the
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THE JTIE3T TELEGMPH
possibility of electro-magnet ism in telegraphy. On this
ship Morse had the conception of the teiegra^i. xn it ffas
to make him famous and a benefactor of the world. Ob
leaving the ship he said to its Commander, "'.Veil, Captain,
should you hear of the telegraph one of these days as the
wonder of the world, remember that the discovery was made
on board the good ship Sully". The idea of using an electro-
de t for a receiver and of using dots and dashes for the
letters of the alphabet was original with him. Later Tlr.
Jackson claimed the ideas, but at this time he said they
were impractical. Morse was the only one on board who had
faith in the electro-magnetic telegraph.
He made little progress with the telegraph between
183^ and 1035 because all of his time was occupied with art
to make a living. In 1835 he was made Professor of The
Literature of the Pine irts of Design at the College of the
City of Hew York. His professorship gave him more leisiire,
so the telegraph occupied more of his thoughts. Professor
Gale, a chemistry teacher at the same college aided Morse.
dale brought to his attention experiments that had been
performed by Joseph Henry. Gale suggested that he substitute
many turns of small wire for the few turns of heavy wire that
he had been using. Some believe that Gale suggested the
relay after reading of Professor Henry's use of it.
- X i-i —
THE FIRST TELEGRAPH
In 1837 he completed a small model of his tele-
graph for experimental purposes. In the same year the House
of Representatives ordered the secretary of the Treasury to
investigate telegraphs for possible use by the U.S. Morse
immediately set out to make a working model that would transmit
messages for ten miles or more. 'The financial and mechanical
aid of Alfred Vail was an important factor in the completion
of this instrument. Alfred Vail was the son of the head of
the Speedwell Iron Works of Morriston, N. J. On Sept. 23,1837
an agreement was drawn up between Vail and Morse. By the
terms of this agreement Vail was to construct the apparatus
at his own expense, suitable for exhibition to Congress and
to receive one-fourth interest in the invention. Shortly
after a caveat was filed at the Patent Office. In 1838 the
telegraph was in working order and was demonstrated before
the older Vail.
6. INTRODUCTION OF INSTRUMENT
This instrument was exhibited in New York and Phila-
delphia without arousing any general interest. There were
many who were interested in it as a curiosity but few believed
it practical. Hon, F.C.J. Smith, Chairman of the Commerce
Committee, was interest. Smith prevailed upon the committee
to attend a demonstration. This demonstration was made in
.-13-
THil FIE.iT TELEGRAPH
Feb. 1838 over XO miles of v»ire and was entirely success-
ful. The whole committee was enthusiati cally interested.
Thus a bill appropriating 030,000 for a test of the tele-
graph between '.Vashington and Baltimore was favorably re-
ported.
Smith then resigned to fight for the measure and
to take an interest in the invention. Sixteen shares in
the invention .rere distributed is follows; Morse - nine,
Jmith-four, Vail-two, and Gale- one. Morse went to London
to get a British patent but they would not even grant him
a hearing. In France he was better received but was unable
to obtain i patent. At this time Dr, Jackson -t resented his
claim to Morse's indention. \t first he only claimed parts
of it but finally he laid claim to the whole invention,
.her passengers of the Sully did not support Dr, Jackson
in his claim that he had suggested the invention to Morse,
i political campaign delayed the action of congress. It
was in this period waiting for the action of isa that
rse suffered the most. He - ithout aid an3 nearly
starved to death. Smith was claimed by the political campaign.
,le ft%a of limited means and therefore could be of no
nanoial aid. Sven in the supreme test Morse had confid-
ence in the ultimate outcome of his endeavors. On June
1840 Morse took out his patent, the first to be granted for
-14-
SHL FIE
.* practical electro-magnetic telegraph. The House of Repre-
sentatives passed, the bill appropriate 0,000 by six votes.
Horse held little hope of it:-; ing tto id-
vised by a friend to jive up the project. Miss Annie
Kllsworth brought Morse the unexpected news of the passage of
the bill by the Senate and Morse was 30 overjoyed he promised
that she should dictate the first m< sent by telegraph
for any great .J- stance. Uork began immediately on the
ington - Baltimore Line . ' Cornell had invented a machine for
ing wires under ground in a pipe which it was e'ecided to
use. Fisher, Sale, Tail, and Cornell aided in the construct-
ion work, Cornell was the roan who later founded Cornell Univer-
sity. After the wire had been run out ;•"' Balti-
more it was found that 1 ethod of undergr is
re than half of the appropriation h on
ent. It lecided to string the wires on poles.
wires were passed throu. lea bored near the top of the
poles and bottle neck insulators were used to insulate the
wire from the poles. The construction was completed on i
5, 1844. On May 24, 1844 in the presence of members of
Congress and many other notables Horse sent from the Supreme
Court room at the suggestion of Mies Ellsworth the message,
;th Sod Wrought'.'. Vail in Baltimore received the
ge and repeated it. ,/hile many wer< J . the
extraordinary feat they probably e been 90 much
i but fo: ther incident, ri
-15-
jTES
Convention in session " ltiraore that nominated Wright
for Vice -President before consulting him.
Lght was in
ton so Vail sent the m righ
t' s nomi r: iti on to
d Morse communicated with V/right.
He declined the
nomination and e sent the message dec
Lining the nomination
to Vail. When Vail presented the mess
to the Baltimore
Convention they were astounded. This incident insured the
.ccess of the telegraph.
y The instrument wis simple. The
sending ratue
consisted of a pair of cells and a key to
ind break the
circuit. The recdivii
sle ctro-magnet
and armature. This electro-magnet was in
circuit of
the other send in ti oil. '.7hen the ]
I ;
sendi: ' m the a: .cte:
i to th<
thus closing .an ry circuit th ;t operated ' rec rd-
ing instrument. The recording instrument
was an arm with
a point that made irapresei one record
boa, Th
arm made the impressions when it attr
icted by an electro-
magnet in the auxiliary circuit. The
re s s i on s be i n g d aah-
es when the key at ending Btation
3 closed a length
•
of time and a dot when i1 d for
only ' t.
Photoji origianl rec
Drding instrument
and the original key need in 1 itting
e
ire appended. These insturments are kept
the U.3.K tti onal
-16-
TIIE FIRST EELEGE4PH
Museum of Tasking ton. The ty >wn by one of the photo-
i. model of the first type used bj ito-
ra.it ic making and br ; of the sending circuit. The
fourth photograph is of a model of the first improved re-
cording instrument. The patents are copies of the first
1 second patents taken out by Morse with one reissued
patent following each.'
y The value of the telegraph we ill know today,
but Morse's tasS Hot only one of 'ention but
one of instruction of the people to ipj eciate his in-
vention. He suffered and strived to give to ~ insti
ment which has becorao indi spensible . There have been
many attachs on his character by people who thought or
pretended that he hid usurped undue reward. His character
is .. le.
Th' invent" tdmir'd and
each how, he
To be the inventor miss'd, so
easy it seemed
nee found, which yet unfound
most would have thought
Imp os si ble
MILTON
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BIOBLIQGRAPHY
Hereford's Address at the Morse Memorial
E. :.:. IJjrford
Morse's Patents - toos Kendall
Masters of Space - W. K. Towers
History of Electro-Magnetic Telegraph
Alonzo B. Cornell
Letters and Journals of S. F. 3. Morse
E. L.Morse
-lorial of 3. F.E.Morse - U.S. Congress
THE FIRST T3 iPH
THE j'IEoT T -H
\
D
!
i
&B
; first r :
United States Patent Office*
SAMUEL P. J J. MOUSE, OF NEW YDKK, N. Y.
IMPROVEMENT IN THE MODE OF COMMUNICATING INFORMATION BY SIGNALS BY THE APPLICATION OF
ELECTRO-MAGNETISM.
Specification Forming part of Letters Patent No, 1,017, dated .hints 20, 18j0.
To all whom it may concern i
Beittoownthnt I, the undereignccl, Samuel
P. li. Mouse, of the city, county, and Stale of
New York, have invented a new and useful ma-
chine and system of signs for transmitting in-
telligence between distant, points by the means
of anew npplicat ion and effect of elect ro-magnet-
ism in producing sounds and signs, or cither,
and also for recording permanently by the same
means and application and effect of electro-
magnetism any signs thus pre d need and rep-
resenting intelligence transmitted, as before
named, between distant points: and 1 denom-
inate said invention the "American Electro-
Magnetic Telegraph," of which the following is
a full and exact description, to wit:
Jt consists of the following parts; first, of j
a circuit of electric or galvanic conductors from j
any generator of elect rieity or galvanism, and
of elect! o-niagnots at any one or more points
in said circuit; second, a system of signs by
which numerals and words represented by nu-
merals, and thereby sentences of words as well
as of numerals, and letters of any extent and
couibiii;*f,>nii t each, are communicated to any
one or more points in the before-described cir-
cuit; third, a set of type adapted to regulate
the communication of the above- mentioned
signs, also cases for convenient keeping of the ,
type, and rules in which to set and use the tj pc; '
fourth, an apparatus called I he ''straight port- !
ride," and another called the ''circular port- j
rule," each of which regulates the movement
of the type when in use, and also that of the
signal-lever; fifth, a signal-lever which breaks
and connects the circuit of conductors; sixth,
a register. which records permanently the signs
communicated at any desired points in the cir-
cuit: seventh, a dictionary or vocabulary of
words, to which are prefixed numerals for the
uses hereinafter described; eighth, modes of
laying the circuit of conductors.
The circuit of conductors may be made of
any metal — such as copper or iron wire or
strips of copper or bon, or of cord or twine, or
other substances — gilt, silvered, or covered
with any thin metal leaf properly insulated and
in the ground, or through or beneath the water,
or through the air. Hy causing an electric or
galvanic current to pass through the circuit of
conductors laid as aforesaid by means of any
generator of electricity or galvanism to one or
more electro-magnets placed at any point or
points in said circuit, the magnetic power thus
concentrated in such magnet or magnets is
used for the purposes of producing sounds and
visible signs, and for permanently recording
the latter at any and each of said points, at the
pleasure of the operator, and in the manner
hereinafter described — that is to say, by using
the system of signs which is formed of the fol-
lowing parts and variations, viz:
Signs of numerals consist, first, of ten dots
or punelttres, made in measured distances of
equal extent from each other, upon paper or
any substitute for paper, and in number corre-
sponding with the numeral desired to be rep-
resented. Tints one dot or puncture for the
uumer.il 1, two dots or punctures for tire nu-
meral 2, three of the same for 3, four fur 1, live
for ."i,six for fi, seven for 7, eight for S, nine for
J), and ten fori), as particularly represented on
the annexed drawing, marked Example 1, Mode
1, in which is also included a second character,
to represent a cipher, if preferred.
Signs of numerals consist, secondly, of marks
made us in the ease of dots, and particularly rep-
resented on the annexed drawing, marked lix-
ample 1, Mode 2.
Signs of mi mentis consist, thirdly, of char-
acters drawn at measured distances in the
shape of Ihe teeth of a common saw by the use
of a pencil or any instrument for marking.
The points corresponding to the teeth of a saw
are in number to correspond with the numeral
desired to be represented, as in the case of dots
or marks in the other modes described, and as
particularly represented in the annexed draw-
ing, marked Example 1, Mode 3.
Higns of numerals consist, fourthly, of dots
and lines separately and conjunctively used as
follows, the numerals 1, 2, 3, and -I being repre-
sented by dots, as in Mode 1, first given above:
The numeral 5 is represented by a line equal
in length to the space between the two dots of
any other numeral; (Sis represented by the ad-
dition of a dot. to the line representing 5; 7 is
represented by the addition of two dots to said
line; Sis represented by prefixing a dot tosaid
line; !) is represented by two dots prefixed to
said line; and is represented by two lines,
each of the length of said line that represents
1,017
the number 5. Said signs are particularly set
forth in the annexed drawings, marked Exam-
ple 1, Mode 4.
Either of said modes are to be used as may
be preferred or desired and in the method here-
inafter described.
The sign of a distinct numeral or of a com-
pound numeral when used in a sentence of
words or of numerals consists of a distance or
space of separation between the characters of
greater extent than the distance used in sepa-
rating the characters that compose any .such
distinct or compound numeral, An il lustra-
lion of this sign is particularly exhibited in
the annexed drawing, marked Example 2,
Signs of litters consist in variations of the
dots, marks, and dots and lines, and spaces of
separation of the same formation as compose
the signs of numerals, varied and combined
differently to represent the letters of the alpha-
bet, in the manner particularly illustrated and
represented in the annexed drawing, marked
Example 3.
The sign of a distinct letter, or of distinct
words when med in a sentence, is the same
as that used in regard to numerals and de-
scribed above.
Signs of words, and even of set phrases or
sentences, may be adopted for use and commu-
nication in like manner under various forms,
as convenience may suggest.
The type for producing the, signs of numer-
als consist, first, of fourteen pieces or plates of
thin metal — such as type-metal, brass, iron, or
like substances — with teeth or indentations
upon one side or edge often of said type, cor-
responding in number to the dots or punctures
or marks requisite to constitute the numerals,
respectively, heretofore described in the. system
of signs, and having also a space. left upon the
side or edge of each type, at one end thereof,
without teeth or indentations, corresponding
in length with the distance or separation de-
sired between each sign of a numeral. Another
of said type has two indentations, forming
thereby three teeth only, and without any
spaee at cither end, to correspond with the size
of a cipher, as heretofore described by refer-
ence to Example 1, Modes 1, 2, 3, of drawings
in said system of signs. One other of said type
is without any indentation on its side or edge,
and being in -length to correspond with the dis-
tance or separation desired between distinct
or compound numerals, and with the sign here-
tofore described for that purpose. One of the
remaining two of said type is formed with one
corner of it, beveled, (system of type, Example
4, Fig. 1 ,)aud is called a " rest;" and the. other is I
in a pointed form and called a "atop,"
Each of said type is particularly delineated
on the annexed drawing, marked Example 4,
Fig. 1, and numbered or labeled in accordance
with the purpose for which they are designed
respectively, j) ml are used in like manner for
producing each ot the several signs of numer-
als heretofore described in the system of signs.
The type for producing the signs of numer-
als consist, secondly, of live pieces or plates of
metal, first described above, (our of which are
the same as are numbered 1,2,3, and 4 in the
annexed drawing, marked Example 4, Fig. 1,
and the tilth one being the same as is denomi-
nated in the same exump'o "the long space,"
and heretofore alluded to; also, of six other
pieces oi* plates ol said metal, varied in indenta-
tions and teeth and .spaces, as represented on
the annexed drawing, nun ked Example 4, Fig.
2, to produce signs ot the denominations de-
scribed in the fourth mode of the before-nicu-
tioned system of signs, Example I.
The type for producing the signs of letters
ate of the same denomination with thosi> used
in producing signs of numerals, and only varied
in form from one to twenty-three, as exhibited
in the annexed drawing, marked Example 5.
The type for producing both signs of numer-
als and signs of letters ate adapted for use to
cither a straight rule, called the "straight port-
rule," and arc in thatcase made straight length-
wise, asdeseri bed in tbedrawings annexed, and
heretofore referred to in Example 5, orto a cir-
cular port-rule, in which case they are length-
wise circular or formed into sections of a cir-
cle, as represented in the drawings annexed,
marked Example G, Figs, 2 and 3, and as will
be further understood by the descriptions here-
inafter contained of the straight and circular
port-rules. On the under side of the, type for
i he circular port-i ule (which type areof greater
thickness than those lor the straight port -rule)
is a groove {system of type, Example II, A in
Figs. 1 and 3) about midway of the ir width, and
in depth about half the thickness a foresaid, and
extending from the space ends, as IS, Example
fi, Fig. 3 — that is, the ends without indenta-
tions — of said type, along the length, and con-
forming to the curve thereof, to a point, D 1>,
npial in distance from the opposite ends to half
the width of the pointed teeth cut. upon their
edges. Eur a delineation of these type refer-
ence is made to sections thereof in Figs. 1 and
3 upon the annexed drawings, marked Exam-
ple G,
The type-cases are wood or of any other ma-
terial, with small compartments of the exact
length of the type, tor greater convenience in
distributing, ami resembling those in common
use among printers.
The type-rules aieof wood or metal or other
material that may be preferred, and about three
feet in length, with a groove, into which the
type, when used, are placed- On the underside
Of each type rule are cogs, by which they are-
adapted to a piuiOli-wheel having correspond-
ing cogs and forming part of a port-rule. The
type-rule in use is moved onward as motion is
given to the said wheel, A delineation of the
type-ride is contained in the annexed drawing,
marked Example 7.
The straight port-rule consists of a pinion-
wheel, (before mentioned,) turned by a hand-
crank attached to a horizontal screw that plays
into the cogs of the pinion-wheel, as the latter
do into the cogs of the typo-rule, or by any
1,01*
oilier power, in any of the well-known meth-
ods of mechanism. It is connected with a rail-
way or groove, in anil by which the type-rule,
from the motion imparted to it by said wheel,
is conveyed in a direct line beneath a lever that
breaks and connects the galvanic circuit in the
manner herein idler mentioned. A delineation
of said wheel, crank, and screw is contained in
the drawings hereunto annexed, niaYked Ex-
ample 8, Figs. 1, 2, 3.
The circular port-rule is a substitute, when
preferred, for both the typo - rale and the
straight port-rule, antl consists of a horizontal
or inclined wheel. Example 9, Fig. 1, A, of any
convenient diameter, of wood or metal, having
its axis connected on the under side of the
wheel wilb a pin ion- wheel, K, and as in the
case of the straight pott-rule. It is moved by
the motion of tlio pinion-wheel, as is the type-
rnle in the former description. On the entire
circumference of said horizontal or inclined
wheel, and upon ils upper surface, is a shoul-
der or cavity, a, Figs, 1, 2, corresponding in
depth with the thickness of the typo used, and
in width, ft, equal to that of the type, exclusive
of their teeth or indentations. Mear the outer
edge of the surface of sail shoulder or cavity
are ooga e, throughout the circumference of the
wheel, projecting upward at a distance from
each ot her equal to one-half of the wi . th of the
teeth or indentations of the type, and other-
wise corresponding in size to the width and
depth of the groove D D, Fig. 4, in the under
side of the circular type before described and
illustrated by reference to Example G, Figs. ]
and 3, Directly over said shoulder or cavity
and cogs, and atone or more points on the cir-
cumference of said wheel, is extended, from a
fixture outside of the orbit of the wheel, a sta-
tionary type -feeder, E, Fig. 1, formed of one
end, e, and one side, F, perpendicular, of tin or
brass plate or other substance, and of interior
size and shape to receive any number of the
type which are therein deposited, with their in-
dentations projecting outward, as in Fig. 2, and
I heir grooves downward, as iu Fig. 4. Said
type-feeder is so suspended fiom its fixture F
F over the shoulder or cavity of the wheel A,
before described, as to admit of the passage
under it of said wheel in its circuit as near the
bottom of the feeder as practicable without
coming in contact therewith. The type depos-
ited in the feeder, as before mentioued, form a
perpendicular column, as in Fig. 2, the lower
type of which rests upon the surface oft he be-
fore- named shoulder of the wheel b, Fig. 2, and
the cog of the w heel, projecting upward, enters
the groove 1) l>, lug. 4, of the type hereinbe-
fore described.
The operation of said circular port-rule in
regulating the movement of the type in use is
as follows : When the wheel A is set in motion
the type resting immediately upon the shoul-
der of the wheel iu the manner mentioned
above, as in Fig. 2, is carried forward on the
curvature of the wheel from beneath the col-
umn of type resting upon it in the stationary
type -feeder by means of one of the before-
named cogs coming in contact with that point
I), Fig. 3, Example (i, in the groove ol the type
hereinbefore desciibed as forming the termina-
tion of said groove, and which is particularly
delineated at the points It D in the annexed
drawing, marked Example (>, Fig, X As by
said process the lower type in the column that
is held by the stationary leedei' is carried for-
ward ami removed, i he next type set lies imme-
I diately upon the shoulder of the wheel, and, af-
ter the manner of the removed type, is brought
J in contact with another cog of said shoulder
within the groove of the type, and thence ear-
ned forward fiom beneath ihe incanilieiit col-
umn, as was its predecessor. Then follows con-
secutively in the same method each type de-
posited within the feeder so long as the wiieel
is kept in motion. The deposit of the t,\ jic in
the stationary feeder is regulated hy the order
iu which the loiters or numerals, or words they
represent, are designed to be communicated at
any distant point, or point*. After the type
are respectively carried forward on the curva-
ture of the wheel in the manner stated above
beyond the point where they are acn-d upon
hy the signal lever, as is hereinafter described,
they are lifted, each iu its turn, from the shoul-
der of the wiieel A and cast off into a box or
pocket, G, below the wheel by m> ana of a slen-
der shaft or spindle, H, made of any metal, and
resembling in form a common plowshare, ex-
tending downward from a fixture,?, placed out-
side of the wheel, into a groove, K, wiihiu the
before-named shoulder of said wheel A, and on
the inner side of the cogs c, already described.
By means of said groove the downward point
of said shaft or spindle II is brought within
the curvature and below the surface of said
shoulder ft, Fig. 2, and consequently under the
approaching end of the type, so that each type
successively, as it is carried forward on said
curvature in the manner before described is
lifted from the shoulder and forced upward on
the inclined shaft, or Spindle by the type in con-
tact with it at the other end, until turned off
into the before-named box or pocket <J below,
ready for a redistiibuiiou.
For a more particular delineation of the sev-
eral parts of saiil circular port rule reference is
made to the annexed drawings, marked Kxn.ni-
plc !), Figs. 1 and 2.
The signal-lever, Example t>, Flg»3, consists,
first, for use with the straight port-tide, (Ex-
ample S, Fig. 1, A,) of a strip of wood of any
length from six to twenty-four inches, resting
upon a pivot, «, or in a notched pillar foinied
into a fulcrum by a metal pin, rt, passing
through it and the lever. At one end of the
lever a metallic wire, bent, to a. semicircular or
half-square form, as at A, or resembling the
prongs of a. fork distended, is attached by its
center, as described in the annexed drawings,
Example 8, at the point marked A. Between
said end of the lever and the fulcrum «, and
near the latter, ou the under side of the lever
A, is inserted a metallic tooth or cog, ft, curved
t.till
on the side nearest to the fulcrum, and in other
respects corresponding to tlte teeth or inden-
tations upon tin* type already described. On
the opposite extremity of the lever is a small
weight, O, to balance or offset in paitwhen
needed, t In* wcijjln of i In- lever on (lie opposite
side of the fulcrum. The lever tuns formed is
stationed directly over the railway or groove
D 1>, heretofore, described B8 forming ;i <m>u-
nected part of the straight port-mle. The move-
ment of the type-rule brings the tooth of each
type therein set in com act with the tooth or
cog of the lever, and thereby lorces the lever
upward until the poip 8 of the two teeth it) eon-
tact have passed each oilier, when the lever
again descends as the teeth of the type pro-
ceed onward from t he tooth of the lever. This
operation is repeated as frequently as the teeth
of the type arc brought in contact with the
tooth of the lever, By thus forcing the said
lever upward and downward the ends of the
semicircular or pronged wire are made alter-
nately to rise from and fall into two small cops
or vessels of mercury, E E, in each of which
is an end or termination of the metallic circuit-
coudnctors first described above. This ter-
mination of the metallic circuit in the two cups
or vessels breaks and limits the current of elec-
tricity or galvanism through the circuit ; but
a connection of the circuit Is effected or re-
stored by the falling of the two ends of the
pronged wire A, attached to said lever, into the
two cups, connecting the one cup with the other
in that way. By the rising of the lever, and
consequently the wire upon its end, from its
connection with said cups said circuit is in
like manner again broken and the current of
electricity or galvanism destroyed. To effect
tit pleasure these two purposes of breaking and
connecting said circuit is the design of said mo-
tion that is imparted in the before-mentioned
manner to said lever, and to regulate tins mo-
tion and reduce it to the system of intelligible
signs before, described is the design and use
nf the variations in the form of the type, also
before described, A plate of copper, silver, or
other conductor connected with the broken
parts of said circuit of conductors, and receiv-
ing the contact of the wire attached to said le-
ver, may be substituted, if preferred, tor said
cups of mercury. For a particular delineation
of the several parts of said lever reference is
made to the annexed drawing, marked Exam-
ple 8.
The signal-lever consists, secondly, for use
with the circular port-rule, (Example 9, Fig. 3,J
of a strip ol wood, U, with a metallic wire, A,
at one end, of the form and for the purposes of
the lever already described above. It turns
on a pivot or fulcrum, n, placed either near the
middle or in the end of the lever. At the end
of the lever, at 0, opposite to the metallic wire
A, an elbow, e } is formed on a right angle with
the main lever, and extending downward from
the level with the pivot or fulcrum suniciently
for a metallic tooth, II, in the end thereof, cor-
responding with the teeth or indentations of j
the type already described, to press against
the t;*pc projecting from the shoulder or cav-
ily of the wheel A, Fig. 1, that forms the cir-
cular port-rule before described. Said wheel
is placed beneath the said lever, as seen atG,
Fig, 1, ia a position to be reached by the ex-
tremity or tooth II of the arm of the lever just
mentioned. The tooth II in the arm of the le-
ver is kept in constant contact with the type
of the circular port-rule by the pressure ol a
spring, IS, upon it, as described in the annexed
drawing, marked Example 9, at B. Figs, 1 and
.'> in the same example exhibit sections of the
said lever. The action thus produced by the
contact of the teeth of the type in the port-
rule when said wheel is in motion with the
tooth in the arm of the lever lifts up and drops
down the opposite extremity A of said lever
having the metallic wire upon it as the tooth
ol said lever passes into or out of the indenta-
tions of the type, and in the same manner and
to the same effect as the lirst- described lever
rises and falls, and accordingly breaks and
closes the circuit of conductors, as in the for-
mer instance. In the use of this circular port-
rule and its appropriate lever ( Fig. :'>) type may
be used having the points of their teeth and
their indentations shaped as counterparts or
reverses to those delineated in the annexed
drawings, heretofore referred to and marked
Examples 1, 5, and <!, and thereby the forms of
the recorded signs will be changed in a, corre-
sponding manner.
The register consists —
First,of a lever of the shape of the lever con-
nected with the circular port -rule above de-
scribed, and is delineated in the annexed draw-
ings, marked Example 10, Figs. 1, 2, and 4, at
A. Snid lever A operates upon a fulcrum, a,
that passes through the end that forms the el-
bow -', upon the lower extremity of which, and
facing an electro-magnet, is attached the arma-
ture of a magnet,/. In the other extreme of
the lever, at 5, is inserted one or more pencils,
fountain-pens, piiutiug-wheels, or other mark-
ing-instruments, as may be seen in the Fig. 4
of example last mentioned at letter 1). The
magnet is at letter C in the same figure.
Secondly, of a cylinder or barrel of metal or
wood and covered with cloth or yielding coat-
ing, to turn upon an axis, and occupying a
position directly beneath the pencil, fountain-
pen, printing-wheel, or other marking-instru-
ment, to be used as exhibited in the last- men-
tioned example of drawing, Fig. 4, D. Two
rollers, marked b b in said figure of drawings,
are connected with said cylinder, on the upper-
side curvatures thereof, and being connected
with each other by two narrow bands of tape
passing over and beneath each, near the ends
thereof, and over the intervening surface of
the cylinder, in a manner to cause a friction
of the bands of tape upon the latter when in
motion, as delineated in the last-named exam-
ple, Fig. 4, at points marked c (■ Q. The dis-
tance between said bands of tape on the roll-
ers is such as to admit of the pencil or other
1,617
marking-instrument in the lever to drop upon
the intervening spate of the cylinder. Near
by said cylinder is a spool to turn on an axis,
and marked (/ in the said figure, to receive
any desired length of paper or other substance
formed into slips or a continuous ribbon, and
for the purpose of receiving a record of the
signs of intelligence communicated. When
tbe register is in motion, one end of the pi»per
on said spool being inserted between the un-
der surfaces of said two rollers, under the
strips of tape that connect tlictn and the cyl-
inder, it is drawn by the friction or pressure
thus caused upon it forward from said spool
gradually and passed over said cylinder, and
is thence deposited in a box on the opposite
side or is cut off at any desired length as it
passes from the cylinder and rollers.
Thirdly, of an alarm-bell, A, Exam pie 10, Fig.
5, which is struck by means of a lever-ham uier,
B, that is acted upon by a movable cog, It,
placed upon an axis or pin, h, that con lines ii
in the lower extremity of a penduTnm-le'ver,
(marked E in Fig. 6 of Example 10) having
an armature of a magnet attached to it at <?
and acted upon by an electro -magnet, <>,
placed near it and the before-named magnet,
and in the same eifenitof conductors with the
latter. Said cog b moves in a quarter-circle
only, as the motion of said arm of the lever
passes backward and forward in the act of
recording, as hereinafter described* When
forced into a horizontal position in said quar-
ter-circle itceases to aetupon the hammer ; but
when moved from a perpendicular position it
presses upon the projection in the end of Ihe
hammer, causing the opposite end of the ham-
mer to be raised, from which elevation it again
falls upon a stationary bell. A, as soon as said
cog reaches a horizontal position, and ceases,
as before mentioned, to press upon the hammer,
Thus a notice by sound or an alarm is given
at tbe point to which intelligence is to be com-
municated as soon as the register begins lo
act, ami such sound may be continued or not,
at pleasure, for the purpose mentioned, or for
any other uses, as the hammer shall be sus-
pended or not from contact with the bell or
with any utimberof hells that maybe employed.
Fig. 5 of said example, marked 10 in the an-
nexed drawings, represents sections of said
hammer and bell.
Said several parts of the register are set in
motion by the communication to or action up-
on the before -named armature of a magnet
attached to [he lever of the register, ol the 1
electric or galvanic cunent in the circuit of
conductors, and front an electro -magnet in
said circuit, as before described, stationed
near the said armature. As said armature is
drawn or attracted from its stationary and
horizontal position toward the said magnet,
when the latter is charged from the circuit of I
conductors, said lever is turned upon its fid- i
crum,and the opposite end thereof necessarily
descends and brings the pen or maiking-iu- I
stiument which it contains in contact with
the paper or other substance on the revolving
cylinder directly beneath it. As said arma-
ture ceases to be thus drawn or attracted by
said magnet, as is the case as soon as said
magnet ceases to be charged from the circuit
of conductors, or as the current in said circuit
is broken in the manner herein before de-
scribed, the said armature is forced back by
its own specific gravity or by a spring or
weight, as may be needed, to its former posi-
tion, and the pen or marking-instrument in
the opposite end of the lever is again raised
from its contact with the paper or other sub-
stance on the be fore -named revolving cylin-
der. This same action is communicated simul-
taneously from the same circuit of conductors
to as many registers as there are correspond-
ing magnets provided within any circuit and at
any desired distances from each other.
The cylinder and its two associate rollers
are. set iu motion simultaneously with the first
motion of the lever by the withdrawal of a
small wire or spindle, </, Example lb, Figs. 2
and 5, from beneath one blanch of a Hy-whee),
I; that forms a part of the clock machinery
hereinafter named. Said wire/; is withdrawn
by the aetion upon said wire of a small elec-
tro-magnet, f», Figs, '1 and 5, stationed in the
circuit and near the large maguet before named,
as delineated in Fig. 5 of Example 10. Said
cylinder and rollers are subsequently kept in
motion by a train of wheels similarto common
clock-wheels, as in Figs, 2 and 3, acted upon
by a weight, raised as occasion may reqftrire by
a h ami-crank, and their motion is regulated
by the same wheels to correspond with the
action of the register ing-peu or marking-in-
strument. Said train is represented in Figs.
1, 2, and 3 of said Example IP.
The electromagnet thus used is made iu any
of the usual modes, such as winding insulated
copper wire, or strips of copper, or tin-foil, or
other metal around a bar of soft iron, either
straight or bent into a circular form, and hav-
ing the two extremities of the coils connected
with the circuit of conductor.-', so that the coils
around the magnet make part of the circuit.
To extend more effectually the length of any
desired circuit of conductors, and to perpetuate
the power of the eject ' i<* <"• galvanic current
equally throughout the same, 1 adopt the fol-
lowing mode, and also for eon tiect in g anil using
any desired number of additional and inter-
vening batteries or generators of said current,
and for connecting progressively any number
of consecutive circuits, viz; Place at any point
in a circuit an electro-magnet of the denomi-
nation already described, with an armature
upon a Sever of the form and structure, and iu
the position of that used at the register to hold
and operate the imnking-iiistiumrnt, with only
a substitution therein for such marking-instru-
ment of a forked wire, A, Example !>, Fig. 3,
like that upon the end of the signal-lever here-
tofore described. Directly beneath the latter
1,017
wire place two cups of mercury, E E, or two
metallic plates joined to terminations of a cir-
cuit leading from the fresh or additional battery
or generator of said circuit, in tliesame manner
as they are to be provided in the first circuit of
conductors at the points where the cops of mer-
cury are hereinbefore described. As the cur-
rent in the first circuit acts upon the magnet
thus provided the armature thereof and lever
are thereby moved to dip the forked wire A
into the cups of the second circuit, as in the
circuit first described. This operation instantly
connects the break in said second circuit, and
thus produces an additional and original power
or current of electricity or galvanism from the
battery of said second circuit to the magnet
or magnets placed at any one or more points
in such circuit, to be broken at pleasure, as iu
the first circuit ; and from thence, by the same
operation, the same results may again be re-
peated, extending and breaking at pleasure
such cm rent through yet another and another
circuit, ad iiijiiritnm, and with as many inter-
vening registers for simultaneous action as
m ay be desi red , an d a t a ny d i st a nces from each
other.
The dictionary or vocabulary consists of
words alphabetically arranged and regularly
numbered, beginning with the letters of the
alphabet, so that each word in the language
has its telegraphic number, and is designated
at pleasure through the signs of numerals.
The modes which 1 propose of insulating the
wires or other metal for conductors ami of
laying the circuits are various. The wires
may be insulated by winding each wire with
silk, cotton, flax, or hemp, and then dipping
them into a solution of caoutchouc, or into a
solution of shellac, or into pitch or resin and
caoutchouc. They may be laid through the
air, inclosed above the ground, in the ground,
or in the water. When through the air they
may be insulated by a covering that shall pro-
tect them from the weather— such as cotton,
flax, or hemp — and dipped into any solution
which is a nonconductor, and elevated upon
pillars. When inclosed abovetheground they
may be laid in tubes of iron or lead, and these,
again, may be inclosed in wood, if desirable.
When laid iu the ground they may be inclosed
in iron, leaden, wooden, or earthen tubes, aud
buried beneath the surface. Across rivers the
circuit may be carried beneath the bridges, or,
where there are no bridges, inclosed in lead or
iron and sunk at the bottom, or stretched
across, where the banks are high, upon pillars
elevated on each side of the river.
What 1 claim as my invention, and desire
to secure by Letters Patent, is as follows:
1. The formation and arrangement of the
several parts of mechanism constituting the
type-rule, the straight port-rule, the circular
port-rule, the two signal-levers, and the regis-
ter-lever and alarm-lever, with its hammer,
as combining respectively with each of said
levers one or more armatures of an electro-
magnet, and as said parts are severally de-
scribed in the foregoing specification.
2. The combination of the mechanism con-
stituting the recording-cylinder and the ac-
companying rollers and train-wheels with the
formation and arrangement of the several parts
of mechanism, the formation and arrangement,
of which areelaimed as above and as described
in the foregoing specification.
3. The use, system, formation, and arrange-
ment of type and of signs for transmitting in-
telligence between distant points by the ap-
plication of electro-magnetism aud metallic
conductors combined with mechanism de-
scribed in tho foregoing specification.
4. The mode and process of breaking and
connecting by mechanism currents of elec-
tricity or galvanism in any circuit of metallic
conductors, as described in the foregoing speci-
fication.
5. The mode and process of propelling and
connecting currents of electricity or galvan-
ism iu and through any desired number of cir-
cuits of metallic conductors from any known
generator of electricity or galvanism, as de-
scribed in the foregoing specification.
6. The application of electro-magnets by
means of one or more circuits of metallic con-
ductors from any known generator of elec-
tricity or galvanism tothe several levers iu the
machinery described in the foregoing specifi-
cation, for the purpose of imparting .motion to
said levers and operating said machinery, and
for transmitting by signs and sounds intelli-
gence between distant points and simultane-
ously to different points.
7. The mode and process of recording or
marking permanently signs of intelligence
transmitted between distant points and si-
multaneously to different points by the appli-
cation and use of electro-magnetism or gal-
vanism, as described in the foregoing specifi-
cition.
8. The combination and arrangement of
electro-magnets in one or more circuits of me-
tallic conductors with armatures of magnets
for transmitting intelligence by signs aud
sounds, or either, between distant points and
to different points simultaneously,
!), The combination and mutual adaptation
of the several parts of the mechanism and sys-
tem of type and of signs with and to the dic-
tionary or vocabulary of words, as described
iu the foregoing specification.
In testimony whereof 1, tho said Samuel F.
B. Mouse, hereto subscribe my name, in the
presence of the witnesses whose names are
hereto subscribed, on the 7th day of April, A.
1>. 1S38.
SAML. F. E, MORSE.
Witnesses:
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No, 79.
REISSUED JAN. 15, 1846.
S. F. B. MORSE.
MODE OF COMMUNICATING INFORMATION BY SIGNALS BY THE
APPLICATION OF ELECTROMAGNETISM.
NO MODEL. 4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.
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United States Patent Office.
SAML. F. B. MORSE, OF NEW YORK, ST. Y.
IMPROVEMENT IN THE MODE OF COMMUNICATING INFORMATION BY SIGNALS BY THE APPLICATION OF
ELECTRO-MAGNETISM,
Specificatiou forming part of Letters Patent No, 1,647, dated Jane 20, 1840 ; Reissue No, 79, dated
Jan nary 15, 1846.
2b all whom it may concern:
Be it known that I, Samuel F. B. Morse,
of tbe city, county, and State of New York,
have Id ven ted a new and useful apparatus for
and system of transmitting intelligence be-
tween distant points by means of electro-mag-
nets, which put in motion machinery for pro-
ducing sounds or signs and recording said
signs upon paper or other suitable material,
which, invention 1 denominate the " American
Electro-Magnetic Telegraph ;" and I do hereby
declare that the following is a fall, clear, and
exact description of the principle or character
thereof which distinguishes it from all other
telegraphs previously kuown, and of the man-
ner of making and constructing said apparatus
and applying said system, reference being had
to tbe accompanying drawings, making part
of tbis specificatiou, in which —
Example 1 is a sample of signs intended for
numerals: Example 2, signs for compound nu-
merals. Example 3 are signs for letters, and
Examples 4, 5, and G are specimens of the form
of types used. Example 7 is tbe type-rule;
Example S,apparatas for connecting and break-
ing the electrical or galvanic circuit. Example
9 is a modified apparatus for the same pur-
pose. Example 10, Figure 1, is a perspective
view of tbe registering apparatus; Fig. 2, a
top plan; Fig. 3, a side elevation of the train
of wheels for moving the paper and regulating
its motion ; Fig. 4, a sectional elevation of the
registering-lever and parts appended thereto ;
Fig. 5, alarm apparatus; Example 11, a dia-
gram showing the relative positions of the dif-
ferent parts of an approved form of apparatus.
It has heretofore been essayed to use the cur-
-imjts of electricity or gal van ism for telegraphic
purposes either by decomposition or the action
or exercise of tbe deflective force of a current
upon a magnetized bar or needle, which de-
composition or deflection required to be noted
by oecnlar inspection at tbe instant the sign
was made.
By my invention the intelligence can be trans-
mitted and imprinted on paper or other suit-
ablesubstance without requiring the aid of any
person at the station to which the communica-
tion is transmitted, so as to be read at any
time thereafter,
The apparatus consists of fcwo principal parts
connected by wires, as shown in the Diagram
No. 11, or other suitable galvanic or electric
conductors to form a circuit, in which is placed'
any suitable generator of galvanism or elec-
tricity as tbe inducing power.
The first part of my telegraph is for commu-
nicating intelligence to the second, where it is re-
corded ; and i t consists of apparatus for making
and breaking the circuit above named. At any
convenient point iu the circuit (generally near
the gen erator) a break is in adc i u tb e eoud uctor,
and the two euds thereof are immersed hi mer-
cury-cups, as shown in the drawings at E E,
Fig. 1, Example S. To correct the circuit I
employ an inverted V- formed piece of metal
or other proper conductor, A, suspended over
the mercury-cups E E on the end of a horizon-
tal lever, denominated in said drawing the
"sigual-lever," whose fulcrum is at a, so that
when the connector A is dipped into the. cups
the circuit is completed. Between the fulcrum
and connector A there is affixed to the under
side of the lever, and projecting downward, a
triangular tooth, b, which bears on the upper
surface of the types about to be described, aud
is raised and lowered by them. The lever may
be counterbalanced, as at 0, to make it move
easy. The types are composed of flat straight
strips of metal, as shown in Examples 4 and
5 of the drawings, hereunto annexed, having
their upper edges indented to suit the char-
acter to be represen ted, and which will be here-
inafter more fully set forth in the description
of tbe operation of tbe machine. The inden-
tations are sufficiently deep to allow the con-
nector A to be plunged into the mercury-cups,
and the highest surface raises it from them. It
is obvious that the forms of the upper surface
of the types may be reversed and the cog b
placed on tbe other side of the fulcrum, and
the same eft'ect be produced. The types are
set up and confined in, a rule to form any re-
quired sentences in one long line. This rule,
which iu the drawings, Example 8, is"deuomi-
nated a "type-rule," has on its under side a
rack that gears into a pinion, x, on a shaft un-
der the grooved railways D, of common con-
struction, on which said rule slides, aud is di-
rected under tbe cog b on the lever. The types
79
are advanced at a regular speed by the appli-
cation of any convenient power to the pinion
at and bring notches in them successively under
the cog.
Other modification? of this apparatus can
be made, some of wbicb-aro shown in the draw-
ings, Example 9, in which is represented what
I denominate a "circular post- rule," in which
the type are made to surround a disk, A, ra-
dially, the other, parts of the apparatus being
madetocorrespond. lu this modification there
may be a stationary hopper or type-feeder, E,
into which the types are placed flatwise, one
above another, as shown at Fig. 2, placet! over
the space that is to receive the types on the
disk A, and as the disk revolves the types
placed in the feeder fall successively into place
on the disk and are carried past the signal-
lever, where they act, and are then carried off
from the disk by a gaide, H, into a receiver,
G-. Many other devices have been suggested
for effecting the same object — via.,making and
breaking the circuit; but 1 believe these ex-
amples will illustrate the principle- The mer-
cury-cups maybe dispensed with and suitable
metal plates substituted therefor.
The second part of my apparatus is for reg-
istering the signals or sentences communicated.
from the station where the apparatus hereto-
fore described is situated; audit consists of an
electro-magnet, which is in and connected with
the above-described circuit, aud clock-work for
moving the paper or other registering medium,
and an alarm may also be appended. The
electro-magnet may be of any convenient con-
struction, and will be charged every time the
circuit is closed, as above, and discharged when
it is broken. Opposite the bars of the electro-
magnet (Example 10) C is placed an armature,
/, suspended on the upright arm of a bent le-
ver, A, the fulcrum of which is at a. This is
most clearly represented in section, Fig. 4.
To the end of the horizontal arm of this lever
there is attached one or more pencils, fountain-
pens, or other' suitable marking-instruments,
directly under which is placed a suitable cyl-
inder,!), over which the paperpasses on which
the register is made. This cylinder turns on
its axis, and is connected by a train of wheels
and pinions with a barrel, m, of common con-
struction, which is driven by a weight and cord
. wound thereon, and also with a fly, ft, which
regulates its motion, Near the cylinder D a
reel or spool, d, is placed, on which a strip of
paper is wound, the end of which is carried
over the cylinder D, acd is confined thereon
by means of two tapes or endless bands, one
at each edge, which pass around two pulleys,
b b, one on each Sjide of cylinder D. This is
clearly represented in Figs. 2 and 4 By this
arrangement it will be seen that when the
electro-magnet is charged the marking-instru-
ment will be brought down onto the paper,
which is at the same- time put in motion by
removing a wire,ff, which is so connected with
the armature that it can be drawn back from
the fly ft, and allow it to turn, (see Figs, 4 aud
5,) and makes a mark, longer or shorter, ac-
cording to the time the circuit is closed.
My system of characters consists of dots and
lines, variously combined to form letters and
othei' characters, a specimen of which is rep-
resented in Examples 1, 2, aud 3. To make a
dot a notch is required in the types, into which
the cog on the signal -lever will fall and in-
stantly riso from as the type moves on ; aud
when a line is to be formed the notch in the
type is extended, so that the lever will remain
down for a space of time sufficient to make the
line required.
The alarm -bell (shown at A, Example 10,
Fig. 5) is struck by means of a hammer actu-
ated by asupplemeutary electro- magnet placed
in the same circuit as that first named. The
machinery for thus purpose may be variously
modified, and therefore no particular descrip-
tion need be given.
Any convenient number of registering-sta-
tions may he connected with the same circuit,
all constructed and operating as above de
scribed.
To extend more effectually the communica-
tion by my apparatus, I adopt the following
arrangement, whereby I can use any number
of additional batteries or generators of said
current, and by which I can connect progres-
sively any number of consecutive circuits, viz;
I place at any point in the first circuit an elec-
tro-magnet, with an armature opposite, on a
lever like that described for registering ; but
instead of the marking-iustrument I attach to
the end of the lever a conductor, puch as is
described on the first or sigual lever. This
connects the conductors of a new circnit, at-
tached to auother battery, aud this might be
continued on ad infinitum.
The conductors may be insulated in any con-
venient way, and may be extended above or
below the surface of the earth, as shall be
found most desirable, and sustained oiinclosed
by any suitable construction.
It will be observed that any vocabulary, sys-
tem of signs, or secret writing by cipher can
be conveniently used in communicating by this
telegraph, and any mode of making or break-
ing the circuit can be adopted, the object be-
ing to do so at proper intervals.
Having thus fully described my invention,
I wish it to be understood that 1 do not claim
the use of the galvanic curreut or currents of
electricity for the purpose of telegraphic com-
munication; but
What I specially claim as my invention and
improvement is —
1. Making use of the motive power of mag-
netism when developed by the action of such
current or currents, as a meaus of operating or
giving motion to machinery, which may be
used to imprint signals upon paper or other
suitable material or to produce sounds in any
desired manner for the purpose of telegraphic
communication, (The only ways in which the
79
galvanic current has heretofore been proposed
to be used is by decomposition and the action
or exercise of the deflective force of a current
upon a magnetized bar or needle, and the de-
compositions and deflections thus produced
were the subject of inspection, and had no
power of recording the com in nni cation. I
therefore characterize my invention as the first
recording or printing telegraph by means of
electro-magnetism. There are various known
modes of producing motions by electro-mag-
netism, but none of these have hitherto been
applied to actuate or give motion to printing
or recording machinery, which is the chief
point of my invention and improvement.)
2. The system of signs consisting of dots
and lines, substantially as herein set forth and
illustrated, in combination with the telegraph
for recording signals.
3. The types and rnle, in combination with
the signal-levers, as herein described, for the
purpose of connecting and breaking the cur-
rent of galvanism and electricity.
4, In combination with an electro - magnet
used for telegraphic purposes, the train of
clock-work actuated by a weight or spring for
the purpose of carrying the material on which
the record is to be made under the registering-
pen, substantially in the manner specified.
5, The combination of two or more circuits
of galvanism or electricity generated by in-
dependent batteries by means of electro-mag-
nets, as above described. ,
In testimony whereof I have hereunto sub-
scribed my name, this 27th day of December,
1845, to the above amended specification of
the invention for which Letters Patent were
granted to me on the 20th day of Jane, 1840.
SAML. F. B. MORSE.
Witnesses :
James MacGregor, Jr.,
A. P. Browne.
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United States Patent Office,
SAMUEL F. B. M0K6E, OF STEW STORK, H". Y.
IMPROVEMENT IN ELECTRO-MAGNETIC TELEGRAPHS.
Specification forming part of Letters Patent Nn, 1,453, dated Ajuil 11, l^-lil.
To ail ichom it may concern ;
Be it known that I, S. F, B. Mouse, of New-
York, in the county of New York and State of
New York, have invented a new and useful Im-
provement in the Electro-Magnetic Telegraph ;
and I do hereby declare that the following is
a fall, clear, and exact description of the con-
struction and operation thereof, reference be-
ing had to the accompanying drawings, iu
which —
Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal view
through the machine. Fig. 2 is a top plan.
Fig. 3 is a side elevation.
The construction of my apparatus is as fol-
lows: In the section Fig. 1, A represents the
base, which is an oblong plank to which all of
the other parts are affixed. Near one end of
said base are t wo upright standards. (Shown in
the figures and lettered jf.) These standards
are represented by harp-shaped castings, which
are placed a little distance apart and support
the journals of a short cylinder near their top,
around which a strip of paper, 12, is wound,
of any length, and from it is supplied to the
machine, as hereinafter described.
Near the center of the base A is situated tiie
electro-magnet of the register, winch is con-
structed as follows : Two round bars of soft iron
are each placed in a coil of insulated copper
wire, 0, the lower ends of said bars B' being
connected by a cross-bar, D, extending from
one to the other, through which they pass, and
to which they are secured by screws, which are
screwed onto them. The upper ends of these
bars above the coils curve inward toward each
other, coming nearly together without touch-
ing, as shown at B', Fig, 4, and the extreme
ends are turned upward, as shown at F', same
figure.
Just in front of the coils C, above named,
there is affixed to the base an upright stand-
ard, H, through which a bolt, I, is put horizon-
tally, with its head against a plate, J, between
it and standard H. This holt passes through
between the two coils 0, and also through a
cross-bar, L, that extends from one coil to the
other. On its end a screw is cut, on which a
nut, K, is screwed, which secures the two coils
and the soft-iron bars firmly in their places.
Each of the coils of wire have wooden heads
or cheeks above and below, with binding-wires
extending from one to the other, for the pur-
pose of keeping the wire together.
On the top of the standard II there is a cross-
bar, Q, permanently attached to said standard,
and having in each end a thumb-screw, (lettered
Oand P,)the ends of which extend down nearly
to a lever, M M, directly under said bar Q,
which I denominate the "pen-lever." One arm
of this lever projects over the soft bars iibove
named, where an armature, G, of soft iron is
attached to it, that extends over the sun;! of
the ends of both bars ft' of the electro -magnet,
as shown iu the plan, Fig. 2. To the other end
of the lever three, more or less, points, 5, are
affixed, that project upward toward a steel roll-
er, 4, directly under the center thereof, as here-
inafter described.
The extent of the vibration of the (ever M
is regulated by the thumb-screws O and P,
above named, its pivot ft being iu the standard
II. The screw O is for limiting the upward
motion of the pen or points 5, and 1' theirdowu-
ward motion, a spring, x, being used to draw
them down.
A suitable frame is secured to the .same base
A as the other parts above described, winch
contains the clock-work for supplying the pa-
per from the roll. Said clock is composed of
a cylinder or barrel, ,c, on which a cord, 10, is
wound, to which a weight, 11, is suspended.
On this barrel, at one end, is a ratchet-wheel,
x 1 , and on the same shaft as the barrel there
is a spur-wheel, .<", with a spring-click, similar
to a common clock. This wheel connects, by
means of a lnultiplyiug-gearing, with the cyl-
inder 3, upon which is pressed a cylinder, 2,
by means of a spring, V, which passes over the
top of the frame, its ends turning down and
resting on the journals of cylinder 2, Figs. 2
and 3, and holds down the upper roller. The
pressure ofthisis regulated by screws Won top.
These cylinders draw the strip of paper 12 be-
tween them, after it has passed under a cylin-
der, 4, placed over the pens above described, in
which cylinder are grooves 4', cut directly op-
posite the points.
In addition to the above-described machine,
there is what I denominate a "receiving-mag-
net,"of thefollowingconstruction and use. Itis
J, 453
represented iu Figs. 2 and 3, and consists of a
bar of soft iron,/', tlie two ends f* j" 3 of which
are turned up at riglit angles, and said ends
are made larger in diameter than tlie lower
horizontal part,/, which may be flat. On the
upper end of one of the uprights, f 1 , is bolted
a horizontal bar, //, that extends out to a point
just beside the other upright,/ 3 , (more clearly
shown in the outline Fig. 2,) and its end tarns
up at the same distance from f 1 as the end of
/'. The upper end of the upright / ! and bar
if are on a level with each other, and they are
chamfered off on the sides from each other, so
as to Lave, the lace of the upper ends smaller
than the body of the bars and adjacent to each
other. Around each of the uprights/ 2 /"' there
is a large flnt coil of wire consisting of a wire
of considerable length, say one mile, more or
less, in each coil. These coils connect with a
battery, e, Fig. 3, at the other station by a wire
from one of the coils, and with the ground as
a conductor to the other, as hereinafter de-
scribed. The circuit can be broken or closed
by au apparatus consisting of a straight lever
or key, d, Figs. 2 and 3, to one end of which
ooe wire, r/', Fig. 3, is connected, and a boss of
metal, <\ composing the anvil, is at tacked to the
other wire, c', forming tlie rest of the circuit.
When the hammer on the lever rf is brought
down on the anvil it closes the circuit, by which
the bar/-/ ' of the receiving-magnet at the op-
posite station is magnetized. This attracts a
keeper or armature, d", on the short arm of a
straight metal lever, d', suspended on metal
standards tV above it, which causes the long
arm of said lever to rise and come in contact
with a brass adjusting- screw, //, placed above
and near its end, to which is attached the
wire leading to one pole of the local battery k.
The wire >' i" from the other pole of said bat-
tery is connected with the metal standards d 1
that support the journal of lever d', and thus
completes the circuit which has theclectro-mag-
net B in it for writing, by which any amount
of power can be obtained that is required to
enable the said magnet to draw down the ar-
mature G above described, which causes the
points 5 to mark on tiie paper 12. (See Fig. 1.)
To the arm M of the pens a break, S, which
is a common plain lever, is attached by means
of a connecting-rod, C, so as to be raised from
a friction-pulley when the peu is made to mark
and let off the clock-work attached thereto,
which puts the paper iu motion. This break
8 is attached to the shaft 7 placed a little above
the friction-pulley 9 that is connected with the
clock-work on which said break acts. On the
same shaft 7 with the break there is a pulley,
z, connected by an endless band with a smaller
policy on the shaft of the barrel on which the
weight-cord is wound. This causes the break,
when raised by the lever M, slowly to descend
till it strikes the friction-pulley It and stops
the clock-work, after a suilicieut quantity of
paper has been run off by its action to form
the spaces for the longest rests between the
motions of the pen-lever if, and thus keeping
the break up till the. writing ceases, after which
it gradually descends and the machine is
stopped.
The red and black Hues, Fig. 3, show the
relative positions of the apparatus iu connec-
tion with a circuit of wire.
a is a copper plate buried in the ground,
from which a wire, &, ascends to a battery, c.
This I denominate the " main battery." From
thence the wire extends to a receiving-mag-
net,/, described in a former section, and rep-
resented at /, Figs. 1 and 3. From thence a
wire, (■', is continued to the opposite station,
and is there connected with the anvil e of the
key d, as above described, and thence to an-
other plate of copper, jr, in the ground. Con-
necting this circuit by means of the key d,
magnetizes the receiving-magnet and causes
the lever d ! to move, which closes the circuit
of wire i connected with a local battery, /,-,
and magnetizes the soft bars B of Fig. o, act-
ing on the pen-lever, which causes it to mark
on tlie paper.
The economy of the galvanic power by the iu-
t reduction of the receiving-magnet is obvious.
When the extent of the telegraphic line is
very great the resistance to the passage of the
galvanic current is proportionably increased,
and an enormous battery would be" required
to operate the pen by means of the register or
local niiignet, which is of small dimensions
and has a comparatively short extent of wire
around it ; but I have discovered that by nsing
a very long coil of wire, as in the receiving-
magnet, there is a suflieiently powerful mag-
net produced (notwithstanding the length of
the telegraphic lino may be very great) by
means of a small galvanic battery. The same
extent of galvanic battery that would produce
no available magnetism in the register-mag-
nets charges the receiving-magnet to such an
extent as to enable me to produce motion, and
thus at pleasure, to make and break the cir-
cuit of the small local battery, which, being
on the spot and charging the register- magnet,
gives me perfect control over it and the appa-
ratus connected with it. Tims I resort to two
magnets and two batteries, of such relative
characters as T have described, to effect a com-
munication through any distance desired with-
out increasing to any considerable degree tho
size of the main galvanic battery, which is in
itself a great source of expense.
What I claim as my invention, and desire
to secure by Letters Patent, is —
1. The receiviug-magnet, or a magnet hav-
ing a similar character, that sustains such a re-
lation to the register- maguetj or other magnetic
contrivances for registering, and the length of
current or telegraphic line as will enable me
to accomplish, with the aid of amain galvanic
battery and the introduction of a local battery,
such motion or power for registering as could
not be obtained otherwise without the use of
a much larger galvanic battery.
4.4*3
2. The use ol' a local battery and magnet,
iu combination with a battery and magnet con-
nected with the main line or lines of conduct-
ors, for the purpose above'specified.
3. The combination of the apparatus con-
nected with the clock-work for setting off the
paper and stopping it with the peu-Iever M.
4. The combination of the points affixed in
the pen-lever with the grooved roller N for
marking on paper, as above described,
SAM. F. B. MOESE.
Witnesses :
Alfred Vail,
J, J. Greenough.
No. 118.
S, F, 8. MORSE.
Telegraph,
4 Sheets— Sheet 1.
Reissued June 13, 1848.
No, 118.
S, F, B. MORSE,
Telegraph,
4 Sheets— Sheet 3,
Reissued June 13, 1848.
No. 118,
S. F. B. MORSE.
Telegraph.
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4 Sheets— Sheet 4.
Reissued June 13, 1848.
United States Patent Office.
SAML. P. B. MOUSE, OP POTJGHKEEPSIE, NEW YOKK.
IMPROVEMENT IN ELECTRO- MAGNETIC TELEGRAPHS.
Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 4,453, dated April 11, l*il>; Reissue No. IIS, dated
June 13, 1848.
To all trhom it may concern:
Be it known that I, Samukl F, B. Morse,
nowof Poughkeepsie, in Dueke$seounty,iu the
State of Now York, have invented a new and
useful Improvement in the Eleetro-MagnetL
Telegraphs; and 1 do hereby declares that the
following is a full, clear, and exact description
of theobject, construction, and operation there-
of, reference being had to the accompanying
drawings, and making part of the same.
The original and fi nal object of all telegraph-
ing is the com nui ideation of intelligence at a
distance by signs or signals.
Various modes of telegraphing or making
signs or signals at a distanee have for ages
been iu use. The signs employed heretofore
have had one quality in common. They are
evanescent, shown or heard a moment, and leav-
ing no trace of their having existed. The vari-
ous modes of these evanescent signs have been
by beacon - fires of different characters, by
flags, by balls, and reports of lire-arms, by
bells heard from a distant position, by mova-
ble arms from posts, &c. 1 do not therefore
claim to be the inventor of telegraphs gener-
ally. The electric telegraph is a more recent
kind of telegraph proposed within the last cen-
tury ; but no practical plan was devised until
about sixteen years ago. Its distinguishing
feature is the employment of electricity to ef-
fect the same general result of communicating
intelligence at a distance by signs or signals.
The various modes of accomplishing this end
by electricity have been the employment of
common or machine electricity as early as 17ST
to show an evanescent sign by the divergence
of pith-balls; the employment of common or
machine electricity in 1704 to show an evan-
escent sign by the. electric spark ; the employ-
ment of voltaic electricity in ISO!) to show an
evanescent sign by the evolution of gas-bub-
bles decomposed from a solution in a vessel of
transparent glass; the employment of voltaic
electricity in the production of temporary mag-
netism in 1820 to show an evanescent sign by
deflecting a magnet or compass-needle. The
result contemplated from all these electric tel-
egraphs was the production of evanescent
signs or signals only. I do not therefore claim
to have first applied electricity to telegraph-
in g for' t h e p u rpose of sh o w i n g e va n escen t s i gt i s
or signals.
The original and final object of my telegraph
is to imprint characters at any distance as sig-
nals for intelligence. Its object is to mark or
impress them in a permanent manner. To
attain this end I have applied electricity in
two distinct ways: First, I have applied by a
novel process the motive power of electro-mag-
netism, or magnetism produced by electricity,
to operate machinery for printing signals at
anydistance; second, I have applied the chem-
ical effects of electricity to print signals at any
distance.
Theapparatusor machine with which I mark
or imprint signs or letters for telegraphic pur-
poses at a distance I thus describe, viz. : first,
the machinery at the transmitting terminus;
second, the machinery at the receiving or re-
cording terminus ; third, the arrangement of
circuits or conductors consisting of the main
circuit and local circuit or circuits connecting
the machinery of both termini.
First, the machinery at the transmitting ter-
minus consists of the key or correspondents.
(See Sheet III, Fig, (i.) The. part N is of wood
or some convenient non-conducting substance.
3 is a spring or lever of metal, fastened upon
N atone end and terminating at the other in
a knob or hammer, r, faced with platinum, it
is a metallic anvil, also faced with platinum.
Farts of the electric conductor terminate at
the key, the one part at the. anvil « and the
other at the hammer I, in such a way that the
only part broken of the entire circuit is be-
tween the points a and f. The object of the
key is to close and break the circuit.
Second, the machinery at the receiving ter-
minus consists of the receiving-magnet. {See
Fig, -i,Sheet It) II II are the coils or helices
of the magnet, being part of the main circuit
of conductors. K K (see Figs. 4 and o, Sheets
II and III) represent the iron of the electro-
magnet in a form to enable me to enlarge tlie
coils or helices without separating to an in-
convenient distanee the poles L L from each
other. K K represent the upper and lower
portions of the magnet, which are without the
coils, and one of which unites the two portions
of -the magnet within the coils, forming one
piece with them. The other bar is united at
one end to this piece by a screw a( r, and runs
divergent from tho position of the other bar
in such a maimer as to bring the two poles
a
us
I/'L near each other, bat not in contact. This
arrangement admits of coils of any desired
sizetoform the helices of a magnet without
requiring any increase in the size of the ar-
mature, thus allowing to the armature a quicker
vibration and a more delicate adjustment. The
special object of the receiving-magnet is to
close and break at a distance another circuit,
called a" local circuit,"in which local circuit is
a magnet aud battery or their equivalents for
the induction of the power necessary to mark
or imprint characters.
# is the armature of the receiving-magnet,
affixed to the metallic lever T, supported by the
metal standard P, which is attached to a
wooden frame or other nonconducting sub-
stance, M. j is" a spring so attached to the
lever Tas to withdraw the armature s from the
poles L L ef the .magnet when the magnetic
force is withdrawn, the other extremity of the
spring being so attached to a thumb- screw, q,
as to be adjusted to any desired degree of
strength, or delicacy, ^is a stop (being a screw
with a head) to regulate, in connection with an-
other metallic screw, y, the limits of motion of
the lever T. The screw y has its end, w, faced
with platinum iu order to form better contact
with the platinum point or surface v on the
lever T. On the proper adjustment of these
two screws I and y depends the efficiency of
the receiving-magnet. The limits of motion
should be such that when the magnetis charged
the point v should come in contact with the
point w, butthe surface of the armature should
not touch the surface of the poles of the mag-
net, and wheu the magnet is not charged the
armature should not be withdrawn by the
spring j beyond the sphere of the magnet's at-
traction.
The register consists of a series of wheels aud
pinions, and its object is to regulate the move-
ment of paper orother material upon which to
imprint telegraphic characters.
A A, &c., Sheets II I, Figs. 1 aud 3, represent
the platform, of wood or other convenient ma-
terial, upon which is to be imprinted the tele-
graphic characters ; D, one form of the arrange-
ment of the wheels and pinions of the register ;
d e, rollers for drawing the paper in contact
with the pen or marking- roller 2. (Seen also on
Sheet III, Fig. 10.)
Sheet II, Fig. 3: E represents the helices or
coils and magnet of the register ; F, the pen-
lever, and armature of the magnet attached.
5 6 are stops, being thumb-screws attached to
some convenient fixed part of the machinery,
for limiting the motion of lever F, to which is
affixed both the armature of the magnet E aud
the pen point or points g. The stop 5 arrests
the movement of the armature as it moves
toward and stop 6 as it recedes from (by the
action of the spring 7) the poles of the mag-
net, according as magnetism exisls or ceases.
Tho spring 7 so operates on the lever F as to be
antagonistic to the attractive power of the
electro-magnet E — not so strong as success-
fully to resist the magnetic power when excited,
but strong enough when the magnetic power
ceases to bring the armature back quickly. The
armature iu its movements should not be al-
lowed to touch the face of the magnet, nor
should the point or points <j (of which there
may be one or more at pleasure) be allowed to
touch the bottom of the groove or grooves" of
the roller 2. The pen point or points, if they
are screws, aid in an exact adjustment of the
pen -lever.
The frame D contains the train of wheels
whose motion is caused by the weight a or its
equivalent. Connected With this train of wheels
is the self-stopping apparatus G G', which con-
sists of a friction-wheel or brake-wheel, i i, of
any suitable material, as wood, cork, &c, which
should be fixed upon any convenient part of
the fly-wheel shaft, or the swiftest or one of the
swiftest in the train. Another shaft, G, has at
one extremity a pulley-wheel connected by a
small cord with another pulley-wheel, G', fixed
upon the shaft of the barrel b. The diameter
of the pulley- wheel G is greater than that of
G'. Attached to and forming a part of the shaft
of G is a small arm or brake, k, of metal or
other suitable material, so formed as to come
in contact with the friction- wheel i i. A light
rod of wire, m, secured atone extremity to and
dropped from the pe,n-lever F s has the other ex-
tremity with a screw-thread cut upon it, which
rod passes freely through an opening in the
brake k. A nut fitting the screw keeps the rod
from passing back through the opening, and at
the same time serves to adjust aud regulate the
movement of the brake. The object of the self-
stopping apparatus is to enable the operator to
pat in action or to arrest at pleasure the move-
ment of the distant register.
The paper-rollers d, e, and 2, Fig, 10, Sheet
III, are so connected with the train of wheels
that the paper drawn from the reels, by pass-
ing between d and e,is made to be in contact
with the grooved cylinder 2. The roller e is
kept iu contact with d by the forked spring in
Fig. 10 bearing upon the ends of the journals,
and regulated in its strength by the thumb-
screws 8 and 9. The bearing or sockets for
the ends of the shafts of e are not circular, but
are slots to allow of a slight movement in a di-
rection with aud against the force of the spring,
so that the spring shall act with proper power
tending to keep the cylinder e in contact with d.
The circuits of conductors. — A circuit is a
continuous connection by a good conductor be-
tween and uniting the two poles of a battery
or any generator of electricity. I use iu my
arrangement for imprinting signals two com-
binations of circuits iu connection with the re-
ceiving-magnet or its equivalent:
The first combination consists of two or more
single circuits consecutively arranged, each
h a vi n g a battery and rec e i viug-magnet ortheir
equivalents, the second circuit being depend-
ent on the first circuit, aiid the third on the
second, and the fourth on the third and so on
ad infinitum, like links of a chain. In this
combination of circuits the entire line is de-
IIS
combination of circuits tUe entire line is de-
pendent on the entirety of each single circuit
of the Whole series.
The second combination-consists of one main
single circuit containing in it "any number of
receiving- magnets or their equivalents, the
helices of which arc successively and continu-
ously connected. Each receiving-magnet or
its equivalent closes and breaks an independent
second circuit, which is no part of the main
line, nor is the main line in tlncnced in its action
by the derangement of any one -or all of the
locator secondary circuits. Both combinations
of circuits may Lie insulated upon posts, or oth-
erwise, to any distances throughout a country
These two combinations of circuits are illus-
trated by Figs. 8 and 9, Sheet IV.
'Example 1. — The first link has a battery, G.
From the pole P the circuit connects theanvij
JJ of a key or correspondent where it termi-
nates. From E it again commences, and, pass-
ing through F, continues to the plate C in the
earth, thence through the earth to plate JJ,
and then through the helices of the magnet A,
terminating at the. other pole, N, of the bat-
tery. At the key F E 1> is the only part of
the circuit broken — to wit, between E and 1>.
When E is pressed down so' as to touch I) the
circuit is closed, and, the magnetic influence
from the battery G operating on A, the lever
F' E' !)' of the second link is brought down.
J->' and E' are connected, (the only broken
parts of the second circuit similarly arranged
as the first,) and the battery G' operates the
helices of the magnet A', connected with an-
other lever, and so on to a third link indefi-
nitely.
Example 2, Fig. !>. — From one pole of the
main battery M the conductor proceeds to the
key P, where it is interrupted, (as in the key
F l'J I) of the previous example,) and thence
proceeds to the plate K in the earth, passing
through the earth to the plate L at the other
terminus. From L it passes to a similar key,
11, thence through the helices of receiving-
magnet O to an intermediate key, Q, thence
through the helices of receiving-magnet N, and
so coiupleteiiEg the circuit at the other pole of
the battery M. The local circuits are without
the main line. When not in use the keys P,
tj, and P are kept closed, so that wherever
there is a key upon the line an operator can
command the whole line by breaking and clos-
ing circuit with the key at his station. Each
key o iterates every receiving- magnet on the
hue, N and O both operate when either of
the keys P, <,>, or R is made to close and break
the circuit. When the main circuit is closed
the magnetism at N and operates the local
lever or key which connects the local circuit,
having the locaj battery S and the register-
magnet T in the local circuit, causing the lever
operated by T to mark the characters ou the
paper at U.
In the Example 1 the receiving- magnet
propagates the magnetic impulse from circuit
to circuit on consecutive and mtttually.depeud-
eut circuits. In Example L' it is propagated
from a main circuit simultaneously to inde-
pendent circuits.
Cuii nee t ion of the other p a rtn of t A e m a chin-
erg with the circuit*. — O, Sheet II, Fig. 3, is the
main battery, from one pole of which the main
conductor ■» proceeds to the plate Q' in the
earth. From thence it passes in the direction
of the arrow to the plate Q, thence to the key
X, where it terminates at t. Co aim cueing
again at w, it proceeds to the helices of the
magnet K K and back to the other pole of the
battery O.
It is the locgl battery, from one pole of
which the conductor XXX of the local cir-
cuit proceeds to the screw i/ and to the point
w, where it terminates. Commencing at v ou
the lever T, it passes through the metal .stand-
ard P to the screw z, from thence through
the helices of the rogister-miguetl'j, and thence
back to the other pole of the battery R.
Having thus described the object and con-
struction of my invention, and the connection
of the different parts of the machinery with
each other, 1 will now describe the operation
of the system combined as a whole.
The icgister D is at rest and the weight,
prevented from acting and moving the clock-
work by the pressure or friction of the brake
k upon the brake-wheel j, the brake being kept
in contact with the brake-wheel by the power
of the weight itself. Now, when the key or
correspondent X is pressed down, so that the
metallic hammer t shall strike the anvil;*, this
being the only part of the main circuit that is
interrupted or broken, the circuit of conduct-
ors froTi the two poles of the main battery O
are by this act connected, and the electricity
from the battery freely passes through the en-
tire circuit »« n, imparting magnetic power
to the helices II H of the receiving-magnet K
K. The armature S ou the metallic lever Tis 1
now attracted by the poles L L and r ir.
The only part of the local circuit broken are
brought together, closing the local circuit x
x x of the local battery K, which instantly
imparts magnetic power to the register-mag-
net E3, to strike the point or pen tj against the,
paper. The rising of the lever F has suddenly
raised the brake k, by means of the rod m,
from the brake-wheel i, so that now the weight
a is permitted to move the whole train. The
rollers dc commence drawing the paper in regu-
lar time from the ] taper- reel C. If the key
which has been pressed down is now released
and the circuit broken, the lever F falls, the
power being gone that held it; but. when it
falls the lower end of the brake-rod, having
free play through the opening in the brakt- le-
ver, does not, in its descent, take down the
brake, but- leaves it to the action of the clock-
work gradually to bring it down into contact
again with the brake-wheel. While closing
and breaking the circuit, therefore, for im-
printing the characters, the machine keeps in
movement, tor every rising of the lever F, in
the act of writing or imprinting, prevents the
US
brake-lever from descending and coming in
contact with the brake- wheel, tbr the cord
which connects Gwith G' slips uiion the small-
est wheel G', from the quickness of the action
of the lever; but when the circuit remains
broken for a short time, the lever F having
fallen, there is now no more obstacle to the
brake lever k in slowly descending by "the ac-
tion of the machinery till it comes in contact
with the brake-Wheel i. and thus arrests all
motion.
In this manner, by the apparatus or machine
or combination of machinery above described,
I am enabled, standing at any one station, to
mark or impiint signs or signals at any other
station, however distant, and by a combina-
tion of these machines, by means of electro-
magnetism, all being in' order, J can at the
same instant, by pressure upon one key, mark
or imprint the same signs or signals at any
number of points throughout the American
co u tineu t. This machinery I ea 1 1 1 h e " A m eri -
can electro-magnetic telegraph,"
What I claim as my invent ion, and desire to
secure by Letters Patent, is—
1. The employment, in a main telegraphic
circuit, of a device or contrivance called the
"receiving- magnet," in combination with a
short local independent circuit or circuits, each
having a register and register-magnet, or other
magnetic contrivances for registering and sus-
taining such a relation to the register-magnet
or other magnetic contrivances for registering,
and to the length of circuit of telegraphic line,
as will enable me to obtain, with the aid of a
main galvanic battery and circuit and the in-
tervention of a local battery and local circuit,
such motion or power for registering as could
not be obtained otherwise without the use of
a much larger galvanic battery, if at all.
2. The combination of the apparatus called
"the self-stopping apparatus," connected with
the clock-work of the register, for sett tng said
register in action and stopping it, with the pen-
lever F, as herein described.
3. The combination of the point or point's of
the pen and pen-lever or its equivalent with
the grooved roller or other equivalent device
over which the paper or other material suitable
for marking upon may be made to pass for
the purpose of receiving the impression of the
characters, by which means I am enabled to
mark or print signs or signals upon paper or
other fabric by indentation, thus dispensing
with the use of coloring- matter for marking,
as specified in my Letters Patent of January
15th, 1816.
SAML. F. B. MOESE.
Witnesses:
Geo; Wood,
J. Thomas Clark.
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