Simple Machine for Transmitting Writing
A Message Written on the Pad with a Pencil is Transmitted to the Other Pad at a Considerable Distance Away
An interesting and novel construction for amateur or boy mechanics is a telautograph or writing telegraph machine. The instruments, as shown, are duplicates with the exception of the placing of the rubber bands. They can be made in different sizes, and satisfactory results were obtained by making the base 7 by 12 in., the arm B 5 in. long and ³⁄₄ in. wide, and the triangle C 6 in. by 3¹⁄₂ in. A hole is bored in the arm B, slightly smaller than the pencil to be used and a slot sawed from the edge to hole, so that when the pencil is forced into the hole it will be tightly gripped, as at A. The arm B is fastened to triangle C, to move freely. The triangle is fastened to the base, and can also move freely. The rubber bands D are stretched tightly to hold the moving parts in position. The strings E should be strong, and stretched taut.
The [larger diagram] shows the instruments placed in parallel position. The [smaller diagram] shows how they can be placed one above the other. An unruled pad is fastened to the base of each instrument with thumb tacks. The operation may be traced by noting the successive action of the parts when the pencil on the pad at the left is moved in writing a message. The pivoted triangle communicates the action to the string E, which actuates the other triangle and its lever system. The rubber bands serve to steady the action. The instruments may be arranged a short distance apart for play or experimental purposes or set in rooms on different floors, by making suitable pulley connections for the cords E.—William Freebury, Buffalo, N. Y.