Telegraphic typesetting

The paper compares the somewhat similar conditions of a page-printing telegraph system and the remote control of a typesetting and type-casting machine. Differences which arise between the requirements in the two cases are explained through a brief incursion into the theory of typography, by which it is shown that the simple process of letter-counting permissible in the case of the page-printing telegraph equipment becomes one of integration of the variable body-widths of the individual type in a line of composed matter. The influence of typesetting operating requirements on the design of keyboard and receiving perforators is dealt with. The practicability of telegraphic typesetting is shown to have resulted from the invention and application of the integrating counting indicator to a keyboard perforator whereby the operator is able to judge of the ¿castability¿ of a composed line of matter before closing the line. The remote control of the caster in the case of machines of the Monotype class is shown to be practicable, and alternative methods of effecting this are described. A typical production scheme for a newspaper office using line-casting machines is described. Methods of inserting extra items or withdrawing such from a received perforated tape are illustrated and described. The application of teletypesetter apparatus, even where telegraphic control is not exercised, is shown to lead to an increase in operating efficiency since a higher output is reached. While the most striking advantages of such apparatus are realized in the case of newspaper installations such as that of the Scotsman, it is also applicable to cases where composing and casting machines are not situated in the same building. The financial results of teletypesetter operation are highly satisfactory.