Hughes printing telegraph

A Hughes printing telegraph consisting of a black rectangular table with a dark green metal fringe with 4 floral-style decorations along the sides. On top, at the front, it has a piano-style ivory keyboard comprising 14 black keys, engraved with the numbers 1 to 10, accents and the letters A to N, and 14 white keys, etched with the remaining accents. Behind the keyboard is the electromechanical system which operates the device. To send a message, the system uses a set of weights which create the necessary electrical induction energy to transmit the alphanumeric signals, for which all that is required is to press the corresponding aforementioned keys. Received messages are printed on tape via an adapted mechanical system. The tape is held on a reel next to which is a stand for placing the message to be sent. The tape for an incoming message was cut and stuck on the form for delivery to the recipient. Next to the electromechanical mechanism is a switch that allows the function of the device to be altered between receiving and sending. The mechanical system consists of clockwork-style bronze, copper and gutta-percha gear wheels. Underneath, the system is operated by lead weights which are raised via a pedal system that transmits the energy to the mechanism by means of a metal chain.
In 1855, David Edward Hughes, a musician, while attempting to invent a mechanism to transcribe musical notes during the playing of a piece of music on the piano, gave birth by accident to the printing telegraph. With a keyboard similar to that of a piano, it was the first telegraph to use normal letters that didn’t have to be translated and it could transmit up to 60 words per minute, which could even be printed on a tape which was then directly glued to the delivery form. As it could transmit a message very quickly, it was used on very busy lines. The Hughes telegraph was the most perfect example of synchronous movement printing devices and the precursor of the multiplexed printing telegraph system invented by Émile Baudot. The system first came into operation in Portugal in 1880.