Telex

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Telex machine ASR-32

Puma teleprinter

Telex is a telecommunication system for transmitting text messages. It was first developed in the 1930s and became widely used in the mid-20th century for business communications. The system uses teleprinters connected by telephone lines to send and receive typed messages. Despite the advent of more advanced technologies, Telex was significant for its time, providing a reliable method for long-distance communication.

History

The development of Telex can be traced back to the 1920s and 1930s, with the system becoming commercially available in various countries by the late 1930s. It gained popularity after World War II, becoming a key tool for international business communication. The system worked by connecting teleprinters over telephone networks, allowing users to type messages that would be immediately printed at the receiving end. This was a significant advancement over earlier telegraph systems, which required manual transmission of Morse code.

Operation

A Telex network is a switched network of teleprinters similar to a telephone network, for the purposes of sending text-based messages. The network is set up with a series of telephone exchanges that are specifically designed for Telex communications. Users in the network have a unique address, often numerical, which allows for direct connection to other users. Telex messages are typed on a teleprinter, which encodes the message into electrical signals. These signals are then sent through the network to the recipient's teleprinter, which decodes the signals and prints the message.

Decline

The introduction of facsimile (fax) machines, email, and other forms of digital communication led to a gradual decline in the use of Telex from the late 20th century onwards. Despite this, Telex networks continued to operate in some parts of the world for specific applications, such as maritime communications, where its reliability and direct network connections were still valued.

Legacy

Although largely obsolete today, the Telex system played a crucial role in the development of modern business communications. It introduced the concept of direct, typed communication between businesses, laying the groundwork for later technologies like email and instant messaging. The Telex network also contributed to the development of international communication standards and protocols.