p51 posted:Bill DeBrooke posted:Garrett76 posted:Bill DeBrooke posted:Bill DeBrooke posted:I have had this piece for some time. I think I know what it is but any thoughts would be appreciated. There are no markings to indicate road or manufacturer. The name Bud Ely who I assume it belonged to is on the inside.
I came across the case that held this item. His address is listed as Kansas City, Mo. I suspect he worked for the katy.
I think it is a morse tape printer. A search of those terms reveals images with similar mechanical internals- the motor, linkages, mechanical keyboard, etc. Are there any holes on the sides where additional items could be connected?
I believe typing converts to Morse Code. I don't really see how it could receive the same. But, I could be wrong.
Youre right. Several machines were made to do this from the 40s to the 60s. The Codetyper was the best known.
I've never before seen one with such early keys, though.
I think it's an early portable teletype sender (vs sender & receiver/printer in one unit) As noted they used Morse code which eventually became converted "automatically" to a printed tape of words pasted onto a telegraph sheet where previously it was decoded and typed by hand. There are a few versions but it didn't come into existence as a funtuonal idea until the early 1900s nor regular use until the 1920s. There were only about a half dozen makers of these early machines; I think a telegraph equipment site might be the place to begin a good search.
