To understand how fax technology has changed with time, business owners and managers should investigate more than what can be done in the nearest supply closet. Fax machines were once at the forefront of communications technology, and understanding the fax machine history reveals their significant impact on business communications. These machines were in offices around the world, but most are now collecting dust.
The invention of the modern fax machine in 1964 by Xerox revolutionized document transmission, making it accessible for widespread business use by allowing connection to any phone line.
Fax machines truly are not that old—at least, not compared to the first patents that were approved in the 1840s. While it’s a great idea to start online faxing, it is important to learn new things as a business owner. Read on to learn about the evolution of fax technology.
A Quick History of the Fax Timeline
While the history of the facsimile machine goes back much further than most people would expect it to, the concept of faxing has remained relatively unchanged throughout the years.
Sending printed materials from one place to another through telephone or electrical wiring is what these machines were designed to do, but the inventor of the fax machine was far ahead of his time. While offices of the 1800s didn’t rely on instant connectivity the way they do now, that’s where this guide will start.
· On May 27, 1843, Alexander Bain devised the first fax machine. The Scottish inventor applied for and received British Patent #9745 for an “electric printing telegraph”. This marked the first use of electronic signals to scan documents and reproduce them in other locations. As mentioned earlier, however, the business community didn’t see the need for such an instantaneous communication method, so it didn’t gain much popularity.
· In 1880, the technology behind Bain’s invention was still a bit of a novelty, but it was inspiring other inventors. One British inventor, Shelford Bidwell, developed a “scanning phototelegraph”, which was the first machine to replicate pictures. Bain’s machine could only duplicate text.
· 1888 brought another refinement in faxing technology. Elisha Gray, an inventor in the United States, invented a “telautograph”, which was the first device to replicate signatures and other complex shapes.
· With the implementation of the contributions discussed above, German inventor Arthur Korn invented a “bildetelegraph” in 1908. This machine was used to send the first transcontinental fax between London and Paris, and it marked the breakthrough the technology needed to become more widely accepted. From here, fax technology began to outpace that of the telegraph.
· On May 19, 1924, AT&T sent 15 photographs from Cleveland, Ohio to New York City via their proprietary transmission method. AT&T’s method was more reliable than that of RCA, which used radio frequencies.
· In 1948, Western Union produced the first desktop fax machine. It began a period of technological adoption, simply because the machine was small enough to use in any of the company’s locations.
· In early 1964, Xerox Corporation moved fax transmissions from the electrical wiring system over to telephone wires. Xerox patented LDX or long-distance xerography, which marked the end for other non-telephonic fax machines despite the technology’s high cost.
· In 1966, Xerox refines its LDX technology to create the Magnafax Telecopier. This machine could send and receive high-resolution documents in less than six minutes, weighed under 50 pounds, and could be produced on a large scale. The Magnafax’s technology was left virtually untouched, with only minor refinements, through the 1980s. From there, it gave rise to the fax machines that revolutionized the modern business world.
· In 1985, GammaLink founder Hank Magnuski developed the first computer based fax board. GammaFax, as it was called, was ahead of its time. This computer based fax board played a significant role in connecting computers with fax machines, setting the standard for the online fax technology used in offices today.
In the mid-1990s, the emergence of internet fax service revolutionized traditional faxing methods. These services allowed users to send faxes from computers without the need for traditional fax machines, offering convenience, affordability, and additional features like mobile fax capabilities and end-to-end audit trails.
In today’s fast-paced and competitive business world, new employees are much less likely to know how to use a fax machine than they are to know how to check an email inbox. However, because fax technology is still used in some places without widespread internet access, it’s still essential. To balance these realities, companies around the world have come to rely on cloud fax technology.
Early Beginnings of Fax Technology
The concept of fax technology dates back to the early 19th century, when inventors began exploring ways to transmit images over wires. One of the earliest pioneers in this field was Alexander Bain, a Scottish mechanic and inventor, who patented the first fax machine in 1843. Bain’s invention, known as the Electric Printing Telegraph, used a transmitter that scanned through a metal flat surface with the help of a stylus installed on a pendulum. This early fax machine was a valuable machinery for businesses to send documents, and it paved the way for the development of modern fax technology.
The First Fax Machines
The first fax machines were cumbersome and prone to errors, but they marked the beginning of a new era in communication. In the late 1800s, Frederick Bakewell made credible improvements to Bain’s invention and developed an image telegraph. This early fax machine used a rotating cylinder to scan and transmit images, and it was the first commercially viable way to send images over a wire. The image telegraph was used to send images between Paris and Lyon in 1865, and it marked the beginning of the fax market.
The First Fax-Like Device
The journey of fax technology began with Alexander Bain’s groundbreaking invention in 1843. Known as the Electric Printing Telegraph, this device was capable of transmitting images over a telegraph line, marking the inception of fax technology. Bain’s invention utilized a transmitter that scanned a metal flat surface with a stylus mounted on a pendulum. Although the image quality was poor and transmissions were slow, this early fax machine laid the foundation for the development of modern fax machines. Bain’s work was a significant leap forward, demonstrating the potential of electronic signals to transmit visual information, a concept that would evolve dramatically over the next century.
The Development of Fax Technology
The development of fax technology was a gradual process that spanned several decades, marked by continuous innovation and refinement. In the late 1800s, Frederick Bakewell made significant improvements to Bain’s invention, creating the image telegraph. This device used rotating cylinders to synchronize the sending and receiving mechanisms, making it the first commercially viable way to send images over a wire. The early 20th century saw further advancements with the introduction of the Telautograph, which allowed users to send signature images over long distances, enhancing the utility of fax technology for business communications. The 1920s brought another leap forward with the development of the first wireless fax machines, which used radio signals to transmit images, paving the way for more flexible and efficient fax systems.
Mechanical Fax Machines
Mechanical fax machines were the first type of fax machine to be widely adopted in business environments. These machines employed a mechanical scanning process to transmit images over a telephone line. A landmark in this evolution was the introduction of the Magnafax Telecopier by Xerox in 1966. This machine could transmit a letter-sized document in just six minutes, revolutionizing the way businesses communicated. The Magnafax Telecopier’s ability to quickly and reliably send documents made it an essential tool in offices, and mechanical fax machines remained the dominant form of fax technology until the advent of digital fax machines in the 1980s.
The Rise of Analog Faxing
The rise of analog faxing in the 1970s and 1980s marked a significant turning point in the history of fax technology. Analog fax machines used a continuous signal to transmit images over a telephone line, which allowed for faster and more reliable transmissions compared to their mechanical predecessors. This technological advancement led to a surge in the use of fax machines in businesses, particularly in the United States. The introduction of multifunction devices, which combined fax machines with copiers and printers, further increased the popularity and utility of fax technology. These devices streamlined office workflows and made faxing an integral part of business operations.
Telephone Transmission Revolutionizes Fax
The introduction of telephone transmission revolutionized the fax industry, making it more efficient and reliable. The first commercial fax machine to use telephone transmission was the Xerox Long Distance Xerograph (LDX), introduced in 1964. This machine could transmit regular-size documents to any fax machine in the world, making it a game-changer for businesses. The use of telephone transmission allowed for faster and more reliable transmissions, cementing the place of fax machines as essential tools in business communications. The development of digital fax machines in the 1980s further increased the speed and reliability of fax transmissions, solidifying the role of fax technology in the modern business world.
How Fax Machines Work
Fax machines work by scanning and transmitting printed material over a telephone line. The process involves converting the image into a bitmap and transmitting it through the telephone system as audio-frequency tones. The receiving fax machine interprets the tones and reconstructs the image, printing a paper copy.
The historical evolution of the fax system highlights its significance in the business world during the late 20th century, particularly the 1980s. Initially, fax machines served as simple document transmitters but eventually became multifunctional devices. Despite the rise of the Internet and online alternatives, some industries, notably healthcare, still heavily rely on fax systems for document transmission.
The Basics of Fax Transmission
Fax transmission involves three stages: scanning, transmitting, and receiving. The scanning stage involves converting the printed material into a digital image, which is then transmitted over the telephone line. The transmitting stage involves converting the digital image into audio-frequency tones, which are transmitted through the telephone system. The receiving stage involves interpreting the tones and reconstructing the image, printing a paper copy. Modern fax machines use data compression to transmit areas that are all-white or all-black more quickly, making the process faster and more efficient.
Why Fax Machines Aren’t Going Away
The fax’s longevity is primarily due to its attributes, which aren’t easily duplicated. Many countries do not accept digital signatures, so faxes must be used to validate documents and financial contracts. America’s HIPAA law requires the protection of patients’ sensitive medical information, and the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act has modernized the financial system.
Many wonder why faxes still exist, and the answer is simple: these machines make confirmation easy. After sending a fax, users receive a confirmation page, which guarantees that the recipient has received the transmission. The confirmation page includes important information, such as the sender’s and receiver’s fax numbers, as well as the date and time the fax was sent. Faxing is the fast-paced equivalent of postal mail, which keeps receipt records. The same can’t be said for emails. Traditional fax machines still play specific roles in businesses, especially where physical documentation is crucial.
The FBI now accepts FOIA requests only by fax, as faxes are almost impossible to spoof. With the prevalence of malware and spam in email, most mass emails are immediately discarded without being read. According to industry statistics, the open rate of bulk email ranges from five to fifteen percent. Faxes are not run through spam filters, so they’re more likely to be read immediately and seen by the right people. Internet fax services have revolutionized traditional faxing by allowing users to send and receive faxes via computers, making the process more accessible and reliable.
Fax technology has been around, in various forms, even before the telephone was invented. It’s far from obsolete; in fact, it’s evolving into a powerful, versatile communication tool.
To understand how fax technology has changed with time, business owners and managers should investigate more than what can be done in the nearest supply closet. Fax machines were once at the forefront of communications technology, but many have forgotten that fact. These machines were in offices around the world, but most are now collecting dust.
Fax machines truly are not that old—at least, not compared to the first patents that were approved in the 1840s. While it’s a great idea to start online faxing, it is important to learn new things as a business owner. Read on to learn about the evolution of fax technology.
A Quick Fax Timeline
While the history of the fax machine goes back much further than most people would expect it to, the concept of faxing has remained relatively unchanged throughout the years.
Sending printed materials from one place to another through telephone or electrical wiring is what these machines were designed to do, but the inventor of the fax machine was far ahead of his time. While offices of the 1800s didn’t rely on instant connectivity the way they do now, that’s where this guide will start.
· On May 27, 1843, Alexander Bain devised the first fax machine. The Scottish inventor applied for and received British Patent #9745 for an “electric printing telegraph”. This marked the first use of electronic signals to scan documents and reproduce them in other locations. As mentioned earlier, however, the business community didn’t see the need for such an instantaneous communication method, so it didn’t gain much popularity.
· In 1880, the technology behind Bain’s invention was still a bit of a novelty, but it was inspiring other inventors. One British inventor, Shelford Bidwell, developed a “scanning phototelegraph”, which was the first machine to replicate pictures. Bain’s machine could only duplicate text.
· 1888 brought another refinement in faxing technology. Elisha Gray, an inventor in the United States, invented a “telautograph”, which was the first device to replicate signatures and other complex shapes.
· With the implementation of the contributions discussed above, German inventor Arthur Korn invented a “bildetelegraph” in 1908. This machine was used to send the first transcontinental fax between London and Paris, and it marked the breakthrough the technology needed to become more widely accepted. From here, fax technology began to outpace that of the telegraph.
· On May 19, 1924, AT&T sent 15 photographs from Cleveland, Ohio to New York City via their proprietary transmission method. AT&T’s method was more reliable than that of RCA, which used radio frequencies.
· In 1948, Western Union produced the first desktop fax machine. It began a period of technological adoption, simply because the machine was small enough to use in any of the company’s locations.
· In early 1964, Xerox Corporation moved fax transmissions from the electrical wiring system over to telephone wires. Xerox patented LDX or long-distance xerography, which marked the end for other non-telephonic fax machines despite the technology’s high cost.
· In 1966, Xerox refines its LDX technology to create the Magnafax Telecopier. This machine could send and receive high-resolution documents in less than six minutes, weighed under 50 pounds, and could be produced on a large scale. The Magnafax’s technology was left virtually untouched, with only minor refinements, through the 1980s. From there, it gave rise to the fax machines that revolutionized the modern business world.
· In 1985, GammaLink founder Hank Magnuski developed the first computer fax interface. GammaFax, as it was called, was ahead of its time. However, it set the standard for the online fax technology used in offices today.
In today’s fast-paced and competitive business world, new employees are much less likely to know how to use a fax machine than they are to know how to check an email inbox. However, because fax technology is still used in some places without widespread internet access, it’s still essential. To balance these realities, companies around the world have come to rely on cloud fax technology.
Why Faxing Isn’t Going Away
The fax’s longevity is primarily due to its attributes, which aren’t easily duplicated. Many countries do not accept digital signatures, so faxes must be used to validate documents and financial contracts. America’s HIPAA law requires the protection of patients’ sensitive medical information, and the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act has modernized the financial system.
Many wonder why faxes still exist, and the answer is simple: these machines make confirmation easy. After sending a fax, users receive a confirmation page, which guarantees that the recipient has received the transmission. The confirmation page includes important information, such as the sender’s and receiver’s fax numbers, as well as the date and time the fax was sent. Faxing is the fast-paced equivalent of postal mail, which keeps receipt records. The same can’t be said for emails.
The FBI now accepts FOIA requests only by fax, as faxes are almost impossible to spoof. With the prevalence of malware and spam in email, most mass emails are immediately discarded without being read. According to industry statistics, the open rate of bulk email ranges from five to fifteen percent. Faxes are not run through spam filters, so they’re more likely to be read immediately and seen by the right people.
Fax technology has been around, in various forms, even before the telephone was invented. It’s far from obsolete; in fact, it’s evolving into a powerful, versatile communication tool.
The Future of Faxing
Many sectors, such as the legal and medical fields, are likely to continue using fax technology well into the future because of its safety and security, but its continued use goes beyond those industries. The fax machine has earned an undeniable and indelible place in the business world. Its sound principles persist despite the availability of alternate communication methods, and its history keeps it relevant.
While it is impossible to predict the future, it is safe to say that the fax machine’s story isn’t over yet. With cloud fax services and other technological advances, faxing will still be a viable option in the years to come.