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United States Patent Office.

SAMUEL F. B. MORSE, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

IMPROVEMENT IN THE MODE OF COMMUNICATING INFORMATION BY SIGNALS BY THE APPLICATION OF ELECTRO-MAGNETISM.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 1,647, dated June 20, 1840.

of any generator of electricity or galvanism, to oneormoreelectro-magnetsplaced at any point or points in said circuit, the magnetic power thus concentrated in such magnet or magnets is used for the purposes of producing sounds and visible signs, and for permanently recording the latter at any and each of said points at the pleasure of the operator and in the manner hereinafter described—that is to say, by using the system of signs which is formed of the following parts and variations, viz:

Signs of numerals consist, first, of ten dots or punctures, made in measured distances of equal extent from each other, upon paper or any substitute for paper, and in number corresponding with the numeral desired to be represented. Thus one dot or puncture for the numeral 1, two dots or punctures for the numeral 2, three of the same for 3, four for 4, five for 5, six for 6, seven for 7, eight for 8, nine for 9, and ten for 0, as particularly represented on the annexed drawing marked Example 1, Mode 1, in which is also included a second character, to represent a cipher, it’ prefered·

Signsof numerals consist, secondly,ofmarks made as in the case of dots, and particularly represented on the annexed drawing marked Example 1, Mode 2.

Signs of numerals consist, thirdly, of characters . drawn at measured distances in the shape of the teeth of a common saw by the use of a pencil or any instrument for marking. The points corresponding to the teeth of a saw are in number to correspond vith the numeral desired to be represented, as in the case of dots or marks in the other modes described, and as particularly represented in the annexed drawing marked Example 1, Mode 3.

Signs of numerals consist, fourthly, of dots and lines separately and conjunctively used as follows, the numerals 1, 2, 3, and 4 being represented by dots, as in Mode 1, first given above: The numeral 5 is repesented by a line equal in length to the space between.the two dots of any other numeral; 6 is represented by the addition of a dot to the line representing 5; 7 is represented by the addition of two dots to said line; 8 is represented by prefixing a dot to said line; 9 is represented by two dots prefixed to said line; and 0 is represented by two lines, each of the length of said

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, the undersigned, Samuel F. B. Morse, of the city, county, and State of New York, have invented a new and useful machine and system of signs for transmitting intelligence between distant points by the means of a new application and effect of electro-magjietismin producing sounds and signs, or either, and also for recording permanently by the same means, aJid application, and effect of electromagnetism, any signs thus produced and representing intelligence, transmitted as before named between distant points ; and I denominate said invention the “American ElectroMagnetic Telegraph,” of which the.following is a full and exact description, to wit:

It consists of the following parts—first,, of a circuit of electric or galvanic conductors from any generator of electricity or galvanism and of electro-magnets at any one or more points in said circuit; second, a system oi signs by which numerals, and words represented'by numerals, and thereby sentences of words, as well as of numerals, and letters of any extent and combination of each, are communicated to any one or more points in the before-described circuit; third, a set of type . adapted to regulate the communication of the above mentioned signs, also cases for convenient keeping of the type and rules in which to set and use the type; fourth, an apparatus called the “straight port-rule,” and another called the “ circular port-rule,” each of which regulates the movement of the type when in nse, and also that of the signal-lever; fifth, a signal-lever which breaks and connects the circuit of conductors ; sixth, a register which records permanently the signs communicated at any desired points in the circuit; seventh, a dictionary or vocabulary of words to which are prefixed numerals for the uses hereinafter described; eighth, modes of laying the circuit of conductors.

The circuit of conductors may be made of any metal—such as copper, or iron wire, or strips of copper or iron, or of cord or twine, or other substances—gilt, silvered, or covered with any thin metal leaf properly insulated and in the ground, or through or beneath the water, or through the air. By causing an electric or galvanic current to pass through the circuitof conductors, laid as aforesaid, by means ² 1,β4» line that represents the nninbet 5; said signs are particularly set forth in the annexed drawings, marked Example 1, Mode 4.

Either of said modes are to be used as may be preferred or desired and in tbe method hereinafter described.

The sign of a distinct numeral, or of a compound numeral when used in a sentence of words or of numerals, consists of a distance or space of separation between the characters of greater extent than the distance used in separating the characters that compose any such distinct or compound numeral. An illustration of this sign is particularly exhibited in the annexed drawing marked Example 2.

Signs of letters consist in variations of the dots, marks, and dots and lines, and spaces of separation of the same formation as compose the signs of numerals, varied and combined differently to represent the letters of the alphabet in the manner particularly illustrated and represented in the annexed drawing marked Examples.

The sign of a distinct letter, or of distinct words, when used in a sentence, is the same as that used in regard to numerals and described above.

Signs of words, and even of set phrases or sentences, may be adopted for use and communication in like manner under various forms, as convenience may 'suggest.

The type for producing the signs of numerals consist, first, of fourteen pieces or plates of thin metal, snch as type-metal, brass, iron, or like substances, with teeth or indentations upon one side or edge of ten of said type, corresponding in number to the dots or punctures or marks requisite to Constitute the numerals respectively heretofore described in the system of signs, and having also a space left upon the side or edge of each type, at one end thereof, without teeth or indentations, corresponding in length with the distance or separation desired between each sign of a numeral. Another of said type has two indentations, forming thereby three teeth only, and without any space at either end, to correspond with the size of a cypher, as heretofore described by reference Example 1, Modes 1,2,3, of drawings in said system of signs. One other of said type is without any indentation on its side or edge, and being in length to correspond with the distance or separation desired between distinct or compound numerals, and with the sign heretofore described for that purpose. One of the remaining two of said type is formed with one corner of it beveled, (system of type, Example. 4,. Fig. 1,) and is called a “rest,” and the other is in a pointed form and called a “ stop.”

Each of said type is particularly delineated on the annexed drawing marked Example 4, Fig. 1, and numbered or labeled in accordance with the purpose for which they are designed respectively, and are used, in like manner, for producing each ofthe several signs of numeralsherotofore described in the system of signs.

The type for producing the signs ofnumer als consist, secondly, of five pieces or plates ot metal first described above, four of which are the same as are numbered 1,2, 3, and 4 in the annexed drawing marked Example 4, Fig. 1, and the fifth one being the same as is denominated in the same example “the long space,” and heretofore alluded to: also, of six other pieces or plates of said metal, varied in indentations and teeth and spaces, as represented on the annexed drawings marked Example 4, Fig. 2, to produce signs of the denominations described in the fourth mode of the beforementioned system of signs, Example 1.

The type for producing tbe signs of letters are of the same denomination with those used in producing signs of numerals, and only varied in form, from one to twenty-three, as exhibited in the annexed drawing marked Example 5.

The type for producing both signs of numerals and signs of letters are adapted for use to either a straightrule, called the “ straight portrule,”andare in that case made straight lengthwise, as described in the drawings annexed and heretofore referred to in Exam pie 5, or to a circular port-rule, in which case they are lengthwise circular or formed into sections of a circle, as represented in the drawings annexed marked Example 6, Figs, 2 and 3, and as will be further understood by the descriptions hereinafter contained of the straight and circular port-rules. On the under side of the type for the circular port-rule (which type areof greater thickness than thosefor the straight port-rule) is a groove (system, of type, Example 6, A in Figs, land 3) about midway of their width, and in depth about half the thickness aforesaid, and extending from the space ends, as B, Example 6, Fig. 3—that is, the ends without indentation—of said type, along tbe length, and conforming to the curve thereof, to a point, D D, equal in distance from theopposite ends to half the width of the pointed teeth cut upon their edges. For a delineation of these type reference is made to sections thereof in Figs. 1 and 3 upon tbe annexed drawings marked Example 6.

The ty pe-cases are wood, or of any other material, with small compartments of the exact length of the type, for greater convenience in distributing, and resembling those in common use among printers.

The type-rules are of wood or metal, or other material that may be preferred, and about three feet in length, with agroove, into which the type, when used, are placed^ On-the under side of each type-rnle are cogs, by which they are adapted to a pinion-wheel having corresponding cogs and forming part of aport-rule. The type-rule in use is moved onward as motion is given to the said wheel. A delineation of the type-rnle is contained in the annexed drawing marked Example 7.

The straight port-rule consists of a pinionwheel, before mentioned, turned by a handcrank attached to a horizontal screw that plays into the cogs of tbepinion-whed. as the latter do into the cogs of the type-rule, or by any

Ι,Μ» ³ type-feeder by means of one of the beforenamed cogs coming in contact with that point D, Fig. 3, Example 6, in the groove of the type, hereinbefore described as forming the termination of said groove, and which is particularly delineated at the points D Din the annexed drawings, marked Example .6, Fig. 3. As by said process the lower type in the column thatis held by the stationary feeder is carried forward and and removed, the next type settles immediately-προη the shoulder ofthe wheel, and, after the manner of the removed. type, is brought in contact with another cog of said shoulder within tbe groove of tbe type, and thence carried forward from beneath the incumbent column, as yas its predecessor. Then follows consecutively in the same method each type deposited within the feeder so long as the wheel is kept in motion. The deposit of the type in the stationary feeder is regulated by the order in which the letters or numerals or words they represent are designed to be communicated at any distant point or points. After the type are respectively carried forward on the curvature of the wheel in the manner stated above, beyond the point where they are acted upon by the signal-lever, as is hereinafter described, they are lifted, each in its turn, from the shoulder of the wheel A and cast off into a box or pocket. G, below the wheel by means of a slender shaft or spindle, H, made of any metal,and resembling in form a common plowshare, extending downward from a fixture, o, placed outside of the/wheel, into a groove, K, within the before-named shoulderofsaid wheel A, and on the inner side of the cogs c, alreadydescribed. By means ofsaid groove the downward point of said shaft or spindle His brought within the curvature and below the surface of said shoulder b, Fig. 2, and consequently under the approaching end of the type, so that each type successively, as it is carried forward on said curvature, in the manner before described, is lifted from the shoulder and forced upward on the inclined shaft or spindle by the type in contact with it at the other end until turned offinto the before-named box or pocket G below, ready for a redistribution.

For amore particular delineation of the several parts of said circular port-rule reference is made to the annexed drawings marked Example 9, Figs. 1 and 2.

The signal-lever, Example 9, Fig. 3, consists, -first, for use with the straight port-rule, Example 8, Fig. 1, A, of a strip of wood of any length from six to twenty-four inches, resting upon a pivot, a, or in a notched pillar formed into a fulcrum by a metal pin, a, passing through it and the lever. At one end of the lever a metallic wire, bent to a semicircular or half-square form, as at A, or resembling the prongs of a fork distended, is attached by its center, as described in the annexed drawings, Example 8, at the point marked A. Between said end of the lever and the fulcrum a, and near the latter, on the under side of th® lever other power in any of the well-known methods of mechanism. It is connected with a railway or groove, in and by which the type-rule, from the motion imparted to it by said wheel, is conveyed in a direct line beneath a lever that breaks and connects the galvanic circuit in tbe manner hereinafter mentioned. A delineation of said wheel, crank, and screw is contained in the drawings hereunto annexed marked Example 8, Figs. 1,2,3.

The circular port-rule is a substitute, when preferred, for both the type-rule and the straight port-rule, and consistsofa horizontal or inclined wheel, Example 9, Fig; 1, A, of any convenient diameter, of wood or metal, having its axis connected on the under side of the wheel, with a pinion-wheel, K, and as in the case of the straight port-rule. ' It is moved by the motion of the pinion-wheel, as is the type-rule in the former description. On the entire circumference of said horizontal or inclined wheel, and upon its upper surface, is a shoulder or cavity, a, Figs. 1, 2, corresponding in depth with tbe thickness of the type used, and in width, b, equal to that of the type, exclusive of their teeth or indentations. Near the outer edge of the surface of said shoulder or cavity are cogs c, throughout the circumference of the wheel, projecting upward at a distance from each other equal to onehalf of the width ofthe teeth or indentations ofthe type, and otherwise corresponding in size to the width and depth of the groove D D, Fig. 4, in the under side of tbe circular type before described and illustrated by reference to' Example 6, Figs. 1 and 3. Directly over said shoulder or cavity and cogs, and at one ormore points on the circumference ofsaid wheel, is extended from a fixture outsideofthe orbit of the wheel a stationary type-feeder, E, Fig. 1,formed ofoneend,e, and one side, E, perpendicular, of tin or brass plate or other substance, and of interior sizeand shape toreceive any number of the type which are therein deposited with their indentations projecting outward, as in Fig. 2, and their grooves downward, as in Fig. 4. Said type-feeder is so suspended from its fixture F F over the shoulder or cavity of the wheel A, before described, as to admit of the passage under it of said wheel in its circuit as near the bottom of the feeder as practicable, withoutcoming in contact therewith. The type deposited in the feeder as before mentioned form a perpendicular column, as in Fig. 2, the lower type of which rests upon the surface of the before-named shoulder of the wheel b, Fig. 2, and the cog of the wheel, projecting upward, enters the groove D D, Fig. 4, of the type hereinbefore described.

The operation of said circular port-rule in regulating the movement of the type in sue is as follows: When the wheel A is set in motion the type resting immediately upon the shoulder of the wheel, in the manner mentioned above, as in Fig. 2, is carried forward on tbe curvature of the wheel from beneath the column of type resting upon it in the stationary

1,MT taCe uSSXT^al^dSirihLl¹^· ‘θ V?.⁶ P^rr^c,^ting ^from the shoulder or cavstationed d rectlv 0ver ihe ^f°^{rmed 18 tre,n,}.^{ty Or tooth H of the arm of} thelever just D d'(heretofore descried JT S ^groove “«“.«oned^ The tooth H in the arm of the lenected part of the straight Δ™¹? ^Λ ' ^V?^r I^{8 kept iu C0U8ta,lt} contact with the type movement of Λβί typSfbrfftheLiPr °^f θ ^c4^roaIar P^Ort'^{rule by the} P^{res8l]re of} « each type therein setln contArtwiS^^)rin?’ ^B> ⁿP°“ ^as described in the annexed “rr -«to teeth of the tvne nrl ^aa J^r?Q^aently ^as the down the opposite extremity, A, of said lever, the tooth of the lever h? having the metallic wire upon it, as the tooth said lever upward and downward ^thr o^{f 8a}’^d lever passes into or out of the indentathe semicircular or nrono-pd wirf^,^{the ei}\^ds ί¹⁰?.^{8 of the} type, and in the same manner and ternately to rise from and fall into^wn «mall ^{the 8atn}® ®p^{ct a8 the} first-described lever cups or vessel? of mereurv F S> il^J T* tails, and accordingly breaks and which is an end or terminating, ^ea?^h_n?^f closes the circuit of conductors, as in the forof electricity or ealvanismthr^ Jh ^c«^rre.“t ^aud their indentations shaped as counterparts but a connectionofthe<&?.% reverses to those delineated in theannexed restored by the falling· of thn tLi ^e^^ect^^d ®^r drawings heretofore referred to and marked as:

mannerto «Μ 1ϊ^_Λ^™°Τ?“^β^^{0ηβ&lt;1 of} which, and facing an electro-magtim and^lL¹®» ! ^{d tore}£^u]atethis mo- net, is attached the armature of a mao-net f ^lfc-i° ^{Sy8te,n of} Intelligible In the other extreme of the lever at Win I^{s th}® ^de8i«^{Q and α8β 8ertert} one or more peneds fountain - ηβή«'

WoredSribS⁸ VffiatTJrf™^th® ^tyiT’ ^a,8° P^rintinV^heel8’^oroth«^rmark’ⁱⁿR ^in8trnm®^ai’ rj?®.Λ x ' ^{A plate of c}°PP^er! silver, or as may be seen iu the Fiir 4 of the exnmnU ampfe 8 ^{draWiDff Ex}’ Ρ*^η’ Ρ™«η_β wheel, or oihlr =½¾. .

witl^h?h^8ig?al ί^βνβΓ °°^,18ί^’ ^8eC0,,dly· ^{for α8β} Sd^mpte Two οΛ\^ ^r°^1,ers’ “ώ bb ίηΊΖϊϊίΧόίώ^ at one eEd of th^d« for J«nd ?^ie^f^{he wire}>^A» ^a™ connected with said cylinder, on the upJer• _---- ·“ wa. uianiugo· are connected with said cylinder, on the upperDlrtO Al_____f* / with each other by two narrow bands of tape passing over and beneath each, near the ends thereof, and over the intervening surface of the cylinder, in a manner to cause a friction of the bands of tape upon the latter when in motion, as delineated in the last-named example, Fig. 4, at points marked c c c. The distant» between eaid bands of tape on the roilof the lever already described above. It turns on a pivot or fulcrum, a, placed either near the middle or in the end of the lever. At the end of the lever, at 0, opposite to the metallic wire A, an elbow, c, is formed on a right angle with the mam lever, and extending downward from the level with the pivot or fulcrum sufficiently for a metallic tooth, H, in the end thereof, cor1,β4ϊ ⁵ ers is such as to admit of the pencil, or other marking instrument in the lever, to drop upon the intervening space of thecylinder. Near by said cylinder is a spool to turn on an axis, and marked d in the said figure, to receive auy desired length ofpaper or other substance formed into slips or a continuous ribbon, and for the purpose, of receiving a record of the signs of intelligence communicated. When the register is in motion one end of the paper on said spool being inserted between the under surfaces of said two rollers, under the strips of tape that connect them and the cylinder, it is drawn by the friction or pressure thus caused upon it forward from said spool gradually, and. passed over said cylinder, and is thence deposited in a box on the opposite side, or is cut off. at any desired length as it passes from the cylinder and rollers.

Thirdly, of an alarm-bell, A, Example 10, Fig. 5, which is struck by means of a lever-hammer, B, that is acted upon by a movable cog, δ, placed upon an axis or pin, &amp;, that confines it in the lower extremity of a pendulum-lever, (marked E in Fig. 5 of Example 10,) having an armature of a magnet attached to it at d, and acted upon by an electro - magnet, o, placed near it and the before - named magnet, and in the same circuit of conductors with the latter. Said cog· b moves in a quarter-circle only, as the motion of said arm of the lever passes backward- and forward in the act of recording, as hereinafter described. When forced into a horizontal position in said quartercircle it ceases to act upon the hammer ; but when moved from a perpendicular position it presses upon the projection in the end of the hammer, causing the opposite end of thehammerto be raised, from which elevation it again falls upon a stationary bell, A, as soon as said cog reaches ahorizontal position, and ceases, as before mentioned, to press upon the hammer. Thus a notice, by sound or an alarm, is given at the point to which intelligence is to be communicated as soon as the register begins to act, and such sound may be continued or not, at pleasure, for the purpose mentioned or for any other uses, as the hammer shall be suspended or not from contact with the bell, or with any number of bells that may be employed. Fig. 5 of said, example, marked 10 in the annexed drawings, represents sections of said hammer and bell. ®

Said several parts of the register are set in motion by the communication to or action upon the before.-named armature of a magnet, attached to the lever of the register, of the electric or galvanic current in the circuit of conductors, and from-an electro-magnet in said circuit, as before described, stationed near the said armature. As said armature is drawn or attracted from its stationary and horizontal position toward the said magnet when the latter is charged from the circuit of conductors, said lever is turned upon its fulcrum, and the oppositeend thereof necessarily descends and brings the pen, or marking-instrument which it contains in contact with the paper or other substance on the revolving cylinder directly beneath it. As said armature ceases to be thus drawn or attracted by said magnet, as is the case as soon as said magnet ceases to be charged from the circuit of conductors, or as the current in said circuit is broken in the manner hereinbefore described, the said armature is forced back by its own specific gravity, or by :i spring or weight, as may be needed, to its former position, and the pen or marking-instrument in the opposite end of the lever is again raised from its contact with the paper or other substance on the before-named revolving cylinder. This same action is communicated simultaneously from the same circuit of conductors to as many registers as there are corresponding magnets provided within any circuit and at any desired distances from each other.

The cylinder and its two associate rollers are set in. motion simultaneously with the first motion of the lever by the withdrawal of a small wire or spindle, g, Example. 10, Figs. 2 and 5, from beneath one branch of a fly-wheel, λ*, that forms a part of the clock machinery hereinafter named. Said wire &lt;7 is withdrawn by the action upon said wire of a small electro-magnet, 0, Figs, 2 and 5, stationed in the circuit and near the large magnet before named, as delineated in Fig. 5 of Example 10. Said cylinder and rollers are subsequently kept in motion by a train of wheels similar to common clock-wheels, as in Figs. 2 and 3, acted upon by a weight, raised as occasion may require by a hand-crank, and their motion is regulated by the same wheels to correspond with the action of the registering-pen or marking-instrument. Said train is represented in Figs. 1, 2, and 3 of said Example 10. .

' The electro-magnetthus usedismade in any of the usual modes, such as wimliug insulated copper wire, or strips of copper, or tin-foil, or other metal around a bar of soft iron, either straight or bent into a circular form, and having the two extremities of the coils connected with the circuit of conductors, so that the coils around the magnet make part of the circuit.

To extend more effectually the length of any desired, circuit of conductors, and to perpetuate the power of the electric or galvanic current equally throughout the same, I adopt the following mode, qndalso forconnectiugandusing any desired number of additional and intervening batteries or generators of said current, and for connecting progressively any number of consecutive circuits, viz: Place at any poin t in a circuit an electro-magnet of the denomination already described, with an armature upon a lever of the form and structure, and in the position of that used at the register to hold andoperatethe marking-instrument, with only a substitution therein for such marking-instrument of a forked wire, A, Example 9, Fig. 3, like that upon the end of the signal-lever hereΙιβ4Τ tofore described. Directly beneath the latter wire place two cups of mercury, E E, or two metallic plates joined to terminations of a circuit leading from the fresh or additional battery or generator of said circuit inthesamemanner as they are to be provided in the first circuitof conductors at the points where the cups of mercury are hereinbefore described. As the current m the first circuit acts upon the magnet thus provided the armature thereof and lever ar© thereby moved to dip the forked wire A into the cups of the second circuit, as in the circuitfirst described. This operation instantly connects the break in said second circuit, and thusproduces an additional and original power or current of electricity or galvanism from the battery of said second circuit to the magnet or magnets placed at any one or more points in such circuit, to be broken at pleasure, as in the first circuit; and from thence by the same operation the same results, may again be repeated, extending and breaking at pleasure such current through yet another and another circuit, ad infinitum, and with as many intervening registers for simultaneous action as may be desired, and at any distances from each other.

The dictionary or vocabulary consists of words alphabetically arranged and regularly numbered, beginningwith the letters of the alphabet, so that each word in the language has its telegraphic number, and is designated at pleasure, through the signs of numerals.

.The modes which I propose of insulating the wires or other metal for conductors, and of laying the circuits, are various.· The wires may be insulated by winding each wire with silk, cotton, flax,, or hemp, and then dipping them into a solution of caoutchouc, or into a solution of shellac, or into pitch or resin and caoutchouc. They may be laid through the air, inclosed above the ground, in the ground, or in the water. When through the air thev may be insulated by £ covering that shall protect them from the weather, such as cotton, v ^r- ^hemP> dipped into any solution ^{18 a} uon-conductor, and elevated-upon pillars. When inclosed above the ground they may be laid in tubes of iron or lead, and these again may be inclosed in wood, if desirable. When laid in the ground they may be inclosed in iron, leaden, wooden, or earthen tubes, and buried beneath the surface. Across ri vers the circuit may be carried beneath the bridges, or, where there are no bridges, inclosed in lead or iron, and sunk , at the bottom, or stretched across, where the banks are high, upon pillars elevated on each side of the river.