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 DESCRIPTION 
 
 OF 
 
 BOOK’S MODIFICATION 
 
 OF THE 
 
 
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 PARIS : 
 
 JLp BY A. CHAIX AND CO> IMPEDE CENTRALE BE, CHEMINS' DE PER, 
 20, RUE BERGERE, NEAR THE BOULEVARD MONTMAR1RE. 
 
 1869. 
 
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 DESCRIPTION OP 
 
 COOK’S MODIFICATION 
 
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 This instrument is a synchronic, chemical printer. It is run by a 
 weight and train of wheels, and is entirely automatic. 
 
 The following advantages over other printing instruments are 
 claimed by the inventor : — 
 
 V 
 
 Firstly— ACCURACY. 
 
 It follows from the principle of the instrument (the message being 
 set up in type) that whatever is composed at the sending station must 
 be absolutely reproduced at the receiving end. The despatch being 
 printed in clear, roman characters, and requiring no transcription, so 
 
 that the message being read and found correct in the type, no further 
 
 # 
 
 error is possible. 
 
 Secondly — SPEED. 
 
 The instrument is capable of transmitting eighty words per minute, 
 or even a greater number on short lines, and this speed is altogether 
 independent of the clerk, as the machine is entirely automatic. 
 
 
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 Thirdly — DELAYS DURING INTERRUPTION OF THE 
 
 LINE. 
 
 Should the line be broken down for a time, the whole of the accu- 
 Jmulated messages may be set up in type, and the moment the commu- 
 5~nication is restored, transmitted through the instrument at its 
 ^maximum speed, thereby effecting a great saving of time without 
 fatigue to the clerk, whereas with the Hughes or Morse, it would be 
 —..impossible for the clerk to manipulate, even for an hour, at the 
 r , highest rate of speed of those instruments. 
 
 ~ Fourthly— BAD INSULATION OP LINES. 
 
 This system is not at all effected by loss to earth ; the arrange- 
 ment of counter -currents employed producing the printing clear and 
 sharp under all conditions of the line short of u dead earth.” 
 
 T 
 
2 — 
 
 Fifthly — SKILLED CLERKS. 
 
 An intelligent man may learn to work this instrument in a few 
 hours ; all that is required of him being to set the machine in motion, 
 change the type for the paper or vice versa (as he may be sending or 
 receiving), and give the proper signals on the bell. 
 
 Boys or girls in a short time learn to set the type with great 
 facility, the letters being all capitals, and of a convenient size to 
 handle. In a few weeks it is proved easy to attain a speed of fourteen 
 and a half words per minute. Five compositors could, therefore, keep 
 a pair of instruments constantly at work at the rate of about two 
 hundred and forty messages of twenty words per hour. 
 
 The machine is simple and not easily susceptible of derangement, 
 and, although synchronic, any slight variation of speed merely has the 
 effect of inclining the printing to the right or left, as the case may 
 he, whereas with the Hughes or other mechanical printers, unless the 
 two instruments run precisely together, A may be printed for B, and 
 so on, completely confusing the despatch. 
 
 We shall now describe the principle of forming the letters on the 
 paper, which is damped with a solution of iodide of potassium. 
 
 The message to be sent^ is composed in ordinary type, and by 
 means of a platinum point passing over it at the transmitting station, 
 and a similar point traversing the prepared paper (which is laid on a 
 metal plate) at the receiving end, the form of the letters of the mes- 
 sage set up in type is reproduced by the decomposition of the chemi- 
 cal in the paper, caused by the passage of a current of electricity 
 through it whenever the distant point touches the type. It is 
 the home battery which prints, its positive passing by the plati- 
 num point resting on the paper to earth and its negative to the line. 
 The type at the distant end is also to earth, and its platinum point or 
 contact breaker to the line. It follows from this arrangement 
 that whenever the contact breaker touches the type, the point 
 resting on the prepared paper will mark; but as soon as the 
 contact with the type is broken, the point will pass over the 
 chemical paper without leaving any trace. The printing is ren- 
 dered quite clear under all conditions of the wire by means of 
 a system of counter-currents. Each line of type requires five pas- 
 sages of the platinum point to completely form the letters on the 
 paper at the other end. The two points travel precisely together 
 longitudinally over the type and paper. For the first section of the 
 
printing the type is brought into such a position that the point in 
 passing over it makes contact with the tops of all the letters, the 
 printing point at the other end, at the same time, making a series of 
 dots and strokes corresponding in position and length with that por- 
 tion of the letters with which the transmitting point makes contact. 
 The type and paper are now moved forward one-fifth of the depth of 
 the letters, so that during the next passage of the point, a different 
 portion of the letters is brought under its action, whilst at the 
 receiving end the point makes another series of dots and strokes 
 below the former line, also corresponding in position longitudinally 
 with that part of the type passed over by the transmitting point. 
 The type and paper now again move simultaneously forward and the 
 same process is repeated, until in five passages the letters of the first 
 line of type are completely reproduced on the chemical paper. Both 
 type and paper are then moved forward a greater distance for the 
 space between the lines and another portion of the message is com- 
 menced. The instruments being at present constructed for printing 
 eight lines, containing about a hundred words. 
 
 The machine is of very simple construction consisting mainly of a 
 train of ordinary clockwork run by a weight. The synchronism is 
 obtained by furnishing the last or quickest spindle with a hard metal 
 disk about one inch and a half in diameter, round the perifery of 
 which there are thirty teeth (of very much the same form as an or- 
 dinary rachet wheel) governed by the vibrating end of a steel spring. 
 This spring is placed in such position with regard to the metal disk 
 that only one tooth can pass the end of the spring for every vibra- 
 tion. It follows from this that if the springs of the two instruments 
 are tuned to a similar musical note the machines must run at exactly 
 the same speed, and there is no possibility of the synchronism becoming 
 deranged, as it is dependent on a natural law. To adjust the two in- 
 struments to an absolutely identical speed (which is not by any means 
 necessary, as any slight variation only has the effect of inclining the 
 printing to the right or left) a small damper is made to rest on the 
 vibrating spring about one-third from its fixed end, and more or less 
 pressure is given to this damper by a spiral spring acted upon by a 
 hand lever. This has the same result as shortening or lengthening 
 the steel spring in a minute degree would have, thereby varying 
 its number of vibrations per second. 
 
 The clockwork, disc, and vibrating spring, may be considered as 
 a distinct portion of the machine (their functions being to give motion 
 
— 4 — 
 
 to all other parts and regulate their speed). The wheelwork is en- 
 closed in a rectangular brass frame, which is mounted on the left 
 hand side (standing in front of the instrument) of an iron plate 
 18 inches by 12 ; this plate rest horizontally on a wooden frame 
 5 inches deep, standing on the table of the apparatus. Bound the 
 inside of this wooden frame all the wires are carried for the various 
 connections and here also are made the contacts necessary for the dif- 
 ferent functions of the machine to he hereafter described. Parallel to 
 the spindle carrying the synchronic disc, and in a right line with its 
 axis is mounted a steel cylindrical bar three-eights of an inch in dia- 
 meter and eight inches long, turning easily in its bearings. The extre- 
 mity of this bar is prolonged at the end nearest the clockwork and is 
 provided with a short steel cross-head which engages in the teeth of 
 a rachet wheel attached to the spindle of the synchronic disc, and 
 this cross-head is capable of being thrown in and out of gear with the 
 rachet wheel by a small hand lever. On the surface of the steel bar 
 are cut two spiral threads, one from right to left, the other from left 
 to right, which are connected up, or run, as it were, into each other at 
 the ends. 
 
 In describing the method of forming the letters only one platinum 
 point at each end of the line was mentioned for simplicity of expla- 
 nation ; but there are in reality two, for the printing only takes place 
 as they travel from left to right, and as one point is performing its 
 work in this direction the other is returning to commence again as soon 
 as the former has reached the end of the type or paper ; by this 
 means no time is lost, for one or the other point is always at work. 
 
 This is arranged as follows : parallel to the cylindrical steel bar and 
 on either side of it is mounted a brass guide ; these guides are fixed 
 at the ends to the same supports that carry the steel cylinder, which 
 we will for distinctness call the “ double threaded screw,” and have 
 on their top and under surfaces a small V groove running from end 
 to end. Along these guides and between them and the double screw ^ 
 
 travel two little steel frames, about three-quarters of an inch 
 square, provided with small lugs sliding in the Y grooves, which 
 are cut very near the edges of the guides nearest the double screw. 
 
 The object of these little steel frames is to carry the points which 
 pass over the type and paper. The platinum points are attached 
 to a small brass arm fixed to a steel pin turning easily in a socket on 
 the lower side of the steel frames, a light spiral spring being used to 
 give the point sufficient pressure on the paper or type. The end of 
 
— 5 — 
 
 each little brass arm to which the platinum point is attached is bent 
 towards the other sufficiently to bring the points themselves exactly 
 in the same line as they travel with the steel frames along the guides. 
 
 It therefore becomes necessary that each, as it makes its return 
 journey, should be lifted up in order to clear the other one which is at 
 work. This is very simply done. It will no doubt have been seen 
 that the object of the double-threaded screw was to carry the steel 
 frames with the platinum points to and fro along the brass guides. 
 Each of the little steel frames or carriers has a fork, engaging the 
 5 threads of the double screw, and embracing half its circumference ; 
 
 this fork turns easily in a socket in the steel frame which it carries 
 along the brass guides until the fork comes to the end of the thread 
 * of the screw, and, as the two threads are there united, it is compelled 
 
 to turn and follow the other thread until it arrives at the opposite 
 extremity, where the same movement is repeated. By this means a 
 continual backward and forward movement of the steel frames and 
 platinum points is effected, and the turning motion of the fork is 
 employed by a simple cam to lift the brass arm and platinum point, 
 on its return passage out of the way of the working point. 
 
 The same points are used either for the type or paper ; the brass 
 arm being furnished with a small ivory disc, bevelled on its under 
 surface, through which the platinum point projects not more than a fif- 
 tieth part of an inch. This regulates the “ dip ” or length of contact with 
 the type, and does not at all interfere with the point when required to 
 print. 
 
 The type (which is composed in a convenient brass rule) or paper 
 (as the instrument is being used for sending or receiving) is placed 
 upon a brass carriage, mounted on four wheels running in grooves cut m 
 the iron plate at right angles to the double screw and to the movement of 
 the points. The object of this carriage is to bring the successive lines 
 of type under the platinum points (by a movement hereafter to be 
 described), or when receiving messages, to space properly the five 
 lines of dots and strokes of which the letters are, as it were, built up. 
 This carriage when drawn back, by a simple commutator puts the line 
 % in connection with a relay for receiving signals on a bell placed on the 
 
 table of the instrument, which is also provided with a Morse key for 
 sending signals to the distant station. When, therefore, the carriages 
 carrying the type or paper of both instruments are drawn towards the 
 operator the line may be used for the ordinary Morse code or bell 
 signals. The front of the brass carriage (or side furthest from the 
 
— 6 — 
 
 operator) has attached to it a projecting piece of brass, on the outer 
 side of which are cut five small steps, answering to the five different 
 positions that each line of type or printing occupies under the influence 
 of the platinum points. In sending or receiving a message the 
 carriage with the type or paper is run forward, and the highest of the 
 steps, mentioned above, now rests against the first of a series of studs 
 which are placed at intervals spirally round a brass drum. This drum 
 is susceptible of a rotatory motion, and is governed by a cam con- 
 nected with the clockwork, and so arranged that the studs move the 
 distance of one stop for every passage of the contact or printing \ 
 
 points from left to right. As soon as the first stud of the drum has 
 passed the last step on the carriage, which occurs when the points 
 have made five passages, the set of steps comes against the next stud, * 
 
 which is placed in such a position with regard to the first that the 
 carriage advances a distance sufficient for the space between the lines 
 of printing. The type or paper is again advanced five small spaces 
 and then runs forward the distance for the next line, and so on until 
 the message is complete. This forward movement of the carriage is 
 simply effected by a weight and silk cord passing over a grooved 
 wheel supported in the iron plate of the instrument. The carriage 
 being drawn back when the message is finished is retained by a small 
 catch, and the drum being released from the action of the cam (which 
 by a simple arrangement is also affected by the act of drawing back 
 the carriage) returns to its original position by a weight, the cord of 
 which is wound round a grooved wheel fixed on its spindle. 
 
 The instruments are started (that is to say the double screw is 
 thrown into gear with the synchronic movement) by means of an 
 electro -magnet placed at the back of the frame enclosing the 
 wheel-work. It has been mentioned that the end of the double 
 screw nearest the clockwork is provided with a steel cross- 
 head. A portion of this cross-piece is pressed by a spring 
 against the teeth of the racket wheel attached to the spindle of the v 
 
 synchronic disc ; but when the double screw is thrown out of gear 
 with the clockwork, a prolongation of the cross-piece rests against 
 a segment of metal connected with a lever, which forms an escape- ^ 
 
 ment with the armature of the electro magnet ; and the cross-piece 
 is thus prevented from engaging with the teeth of the racket wheel 
 until the lever is released by the electro magnet, which is worked by 
 a local bsttery and is itself controlled by a relay. The circuit em- 
 ployed for working these relays, and, by them starting both instru- 
 
— 7 — 
 
 ments at the same moment, is somewhat peculiar, and is arranged as 
 follows. The negative of the battery of one instrument (which we will 
 call A) is to the line, the positive passing through the relay to a 
 “contact” made at will by drawing an ivory button, placed conve- 
 niently at the left hand side of the instrument, and from thence to 
 earth. This throws a negative current on the line. Of the other 
 instrument (which we will call B) the positive of the battery is to the 
 line, and the negative passes through a relay by a similar “contact 
 to A (also governed by .an ivory button) , to earth. As soon as the 
 button of A and of B are both drawn, the united force of the batteries 
 at the two ends of the line passes through the relays, thus closing the 
 local circuits of the electro magnets, which in their turn release the 
 lever escapements, the crossheads of the double screws engage with 
 the teeth of the racket wheels (the clockwork having been previously 
 set in motion), and both instruments start together. Wdien they 
 are at rest, the carriers supporting the platinum points are always 
 at the ends of the double screws, which can only be thrown out of 
 gear with the racket wheels when they are in this position. This is 
 arranged by forming a notch in the wheel which carries the cam that 
 gives the forward motion to the carriage on which the type or paper 
 is placed, and the metal segment (connected with the electro magnet 
 ' escapement), against which the cross-piece rests when the machine is 
 stopped, can only be brought sufficiently forward to disengage the cross- 
 -piece from the racket wheel when a stud on the lever connected with the 
 segment and escapement drops into the notch of the wheel against which 
 it is pressed by a small handle. As this occurs the escapement falls into 
 position for again starting the instrument. The ivory button before 
 mentioned is attached to a brass slide which may be moved backwards 
 and forwards across the end of the wooden frame supporting the 
 instrument. This movement is used to make the necessary change of 
 contacts with the batteries and line for transmitting or receiving. 
 Let us suppose A to be receiving, the positive of the battery passes 
 to the platinum points, thence by the prepared paper to earth. The 
 negative goes by the line to the points of B, and by the type to earth. 
 The battery of B (the transmitting instrument) being arranged as 
 follows : — The positive passes direct to earth, and the negative is 
 attached to the points, which are also to the line ; when, therefore, 
 the points touch the type, this battery works on short circuit. The 
 distant battery will at this moment be printing, but as soon as the 
 point of B comes to a break between the letters, the circuit of the 
 
— 8 — 
 
 distant battery is broken, as is also tbe short circuit of B’s battery, the 
 current of which now passes along the line in an opposite direction to 
 the current from A, and by this “ counter current” the line is cleared 
 of any residium, and the printing rendered sharp and distinct. When 
 A is required to transmit these conditions are simply reversed by 
 altering the position of the brass slides. We will now suppose A 
 wishes to send a message. The despatch having been composed in type, 
 the operator places it in the carriage (which is drawn back towards 
 him so that the machine can be used to send bell signals). He in- 
 forms B he has a message to send by giving two strokes. B replies 
 by one, and places a strip of prepared paper on the plate of his car- 
 riage j when he has done this, and is ready to receive, he gives A 
 another stroke on the bell, and both operators run their carriages 
 forward by releasing them from the catch. The clockwork is now set 
 in motion and the ivory button drawn. The moment these contacts 
 are made at both ends, the united force of the batteries passes 
 through the relays which close the local circuits of the electro magnets, 
 these release the escapements, the segments fall back, and the cross- 
 pieces of the double screws engage with the teeth of the racket 
 wheels ; the points traverse the paper and type, and the printing 
 begins (the ivory buttons returning to their places and breaking the 
 contacts of the starting circuit by a spring as soon as the operators 
 allow them to leave their hands, which they do the moment the 
 electro magnets have released the escapements). The operator at the 
 receiving end having nothing to do but watch for the finish of the 
 message, notify its safe arrival to A by a stroke on the bell, draw his 
 carriage back, and stop his instrument ; when he is again ready to 
 send or receive another despatch. The clockwork is started by 
 relieving a friction piece which presses against the side of the 
 synchronic disc, and is wound up by a key placed conveniently to the 
 hand of the operator. 
 
 A method has been discovered by the inventor of rendering the 
 decomposed iodide permanent, or sufficiently so for all practical 
 purposes. By a simple and ingenious process, one or more copies of 
 every message are taken from the type before the despatch is tians- 
 mitted, and one of these may, if desired, be handed to the sender to 
 assure him that no mistakes have been made. 
 
 printed by a. chaix and cie., 20 , RUE BERGERE, PARIS.— 8542 - 9 .