When Was The Fax Machine Invented? Most Guesses Are Way Off

Long before the era of smartphones, there was a time when communication devices were limited to telegraph messages. But an emerging technology is about to emerge that will allow people to send images and documents over phone lines for the first time in history.

Although not yet named as such, this was the first iteration of the fax machine. Although many people believe that the fax machine emerged within the past few decades, it is a much older invention, dating back to the 19th century and has a surprisingly long history.

Here’s everything you need to know about the modern fax machine, how it evolved into what we know today, and why this technology was so important in laying the foundation for modern fax servers and business phone services capable of handling millions of faxes each year.

Who first invented the first fax machine?

The first version of the fax machine was invented in 1843 by Scottish inventor and machinist Alexander Bain. Improvements were patented.

How did Bain’s fax machine work?

Bain’s invention was a “recording telegraph” that could send images over long distances. This is accomplished by scanning the metal surface with a stylus attached to a pendulum. The scan detected the image and converted it into an electrical signal, which could then be sent over the telegraph wire.

This information is replicated at the receiving station using electrochemically sensitive paper impregnated with a chemical solution similar to that designed for chemical telegraphy.

Alexander Bain was an amateur clockmaker who adapted telegraph machines and built fax machines using mechanical parts from clocks. His engineering skills and understanding of electricity were combined to create a new way of sharing images and files.

Some information about inventor and scholar Alexander Bain

Bain became an influential figure in fields as diverse as educational reform, moral philosophy, linguistics, logic, and psychology. He held important positions at the University of Aberdeen and founded Mind, a journal dedicated to analytic philosophy.

But his invention of the fax machine was perhaps his most important contribution to technology, stemming from his interest in telegraphy, electromagnetism and electricity. The patent was filed 33 years before the invention, making it one of the earliest and most influential versions of modern telecommunications.

In 2016, he posthumously received a prestigious Technology and Engineering Emmy Award in recognition of his pioneering contributions to image transmission.

Who invented the first modern fax machine?

The global Xerox Corporation is credited with inventing the first modern fax machine, the LDX system, on May 5, 1964. The fax system used a cathode ray tube to produce the image, and they also created a variation that could send the image to a computer for printing.

What makes the LDX system revolutionary?

This technology surpasses previous technologies because it can transfer copies between two locations through one of the following methods:

• coaxial cable.
• microwave channel.
• A telephone line.

This makes it possible to send faxes more flexibly without relying on the Internet.

LDX systems also feature xerography technology, which works by creating an electric charge in the areas of the document where ink needs to be on the paper.

This combination of technologies enables machines to reproduce electronically transmitted documents with accuracy and detail.

How similar are LDX systems to today’s fax machines?

Xerox’s LDX system can transmit regular-size documents over long distances in about six minutes, marking a revolutionary advance in communications technology. Today’s fax machines may be similar to LDX, but with some improvements.

Modern fax machines are fasteris more compact and provides better overall image quality. They also use digital technology to compress data, thereby shortening transmission times.

However, the basic purpose of transmitting scanned printed material (text and images) remains the same between LDX and modern fax machines.

The evolution of the fax machine

Here is a chronological timeline of each of the major advancements that transformed the fax machine from a simple communication tool into the versatile machines we use today:

• 1843: Alexander Bain invented an experimental fax machine with a synchronized pendulum that could scan information from metal plates.
• 1851: Frederick Bakewell further improved Bain’s design by rotating the cylinder, thereby obtaining a clearer image.
• 1865: Giovanni Caselli demonstrated the pantograph in France. This technique uses a regulated clock to synchronize the scanning of images for telegraph transmissions.
• 1924: Richard H. Ranger wirelessly sent a photograph of Calvin Coolidge from New York to London. This is done using radiography, a machine that transmits signals remotely.
• 1924: Herbert Ives successfully transmitted the first color fax using color separation technology.
• 1964: Xerox Corporation introduces the LDX system, the first commercial form of fax machine technology. It can transfer a letter-sized document in about six minutes.
• 1966: Xerox’s revolutionary Magnafax Telecopier can connect to any phone line and transfer a letter-sized document in just six minutes.
• 1974: Transmission time for single-page faxes is reduced to just three minutes.
• 1980: Japan’s NTT and KDDI developed the ITU G3 fax standard, which led to the vigorous development of fax technology and established fax as one of the first truly universal communication methods.
• 1985: GammaLink launches GammaFax, the first computer-based fax board, integrating computers into a global network of fax machines. This paves the way for broadcast faxing and small-scale fax management.
• 1995: InfoImaging Technologies launches 3D Fax, a computer program designed specifically for Microsoft Windows. Users can encode files into images, then print and send the images via fax machine, or transfer the images directly from a computer equipped with a fax modem.
• 2010: Internet faxing is now available on Apple devices with the launch of the eFax iOS app. Users can now easily Send a fax from iPhone or other Apple devices.
• 2011: Just like Apple devices, eFax has created a dedicated Android app. Android users can now also send fax services on their mobile devices.

Today’s fax machine

Even with email and online messaging, fax machines still have their place, especially in certain regulated industries that require security and document transfer. Both traditional and cloud fax solutions are secureprovided they operate over a secure network.

Businesses in the healthcare, legal and financial sectors often rely on fax machines to securely transmit sensitive documents, as fax is considered more secure than email and is less vulnerable to hackers.

Here are some use cases for modern fax machines:

• Entity record: Especially in the medical and legal fields, fax machines provide a reliable method of transmitting physical records. These industries often require hard copies of documents for compliance purposes.
• Security protection against hackers, malware and viruses: Fax machines are less susceptible to cyber threats than email and online methods. This makes faxing a more secure option for businesses handling sensitive information.
• Updated technology and email integration: Modern fax machines can be integrated with email systems, allowing for digital transmission and storage of faxes. This feature combines the security of fax with the convenience of email.
• Old Enterprises and Old Users: For businesses that have been around for a while, fax machines are a familiar and trusted tool. They also cater to older users who may not be comfortable with new technology.
• Easy to use: With a fax machine, you only need one number to send or receive documents. No internet connection or complex software is required.
• Long distance signature: Fax machines allow signed documents to be transmitted over long distances, which is particularly useful for legal, real estate and financial transactions that require signatures.
• reliability: Fax machines are known for their reliability. Unlike emails, which can end up in spam folders or get lost in transit, faxes are almost always sent directly to the recipient.
• confirm the receipt of goods: The fax machine provides a confirmation page after a successful transmission, providing proof that the document was transmitted and received. This is crucial for businesses that need confirmation of document delivery.

Setting up a modern fax machine

study How to use a fax machine It’s simple if you have the appropriate setup (usually including a landline and fax machine)

However, in an era when many homes and businesses no longer have landlines, individuals and companies still have access to fax machines and multifunction printers (MFPs) through services such as VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) phone service.

These services convert analog signals typically sent over phone lines into digital signals that can be sent over the Internet. This digital transformation allows users to send and receive faxes via computers or even mobile devices, combining traditional fax functionality with modern digital convenience.

Some businesses use FaxATA (Analog Telephone Adapter), a device that handles analog-to-digital conversion natively for continued use with existing fax machines and MFPs.

VoIP phone systems bridge the gap between traditional faxing and the digital era, providing a secure, convenient, and cost-effective solution for businesses and individuals who still need fax capabilities.