302 Mr. W. E, Preece [Feb. 13, 



prongs, a clash is transmitted to the receiver. Each reversal of the 

 current forms a dot, and if the reversal is stopped, a dash is formed ; 

 and it is by controlling these reversals with the perforated paper that 

 reversals are sent at the proper time to make the required signals. I 

 have an actual apparatus fitted up here in connection with the Central 

 Station, and we will set it going and see what news is passing on the 

 wire on which the instrument has been placed. At the present 

 moment I may tell you that this wire is transmitting intelligence to 

 distant offices, and our instrument is placed on it so that by setting 

 it going we can see for ourselves what is passing. (Odd items of 

 news were read off by the assistant.) 



When Wheatstone invented this apparatus it was only workable 

 at an average rate of seventy or eighty words a minute, but scientific 

 training, observation, thought, and care have resulted in improving 

 upon this so much that, on making inquiry yesterday morning, I 

 found that one of our Wheatstone instruments was actually working 

 at the rate of 180 or 190 words a minute. When the Queen's Speech 

 was transmitted to the country last week it was sent to several towns 

 in five minutes, and as it contained 800 words, the average rate was 

 160. To long distance places it is not possible, from various causes, 

 to maintain this high rate without the insertion of a translator or 

 repeater, which receives what I may call the almost exhausted signals, 

 and sends them on reinvigorated to their destination. Until recently 

 the rate of working between London and Cork was sixty words a 

 minute, but, by inserting a repeater at Haverfordwest, this speed was 

 doubled. The repeater is a complicated instrument, and I will not 

 attempt to describe it. Its function, reduced to simple words, is, that 

 it receives the currents from London, and transmits fresh ones to 

 Cork. Eepeaters are being generally introduced on our long circuits. 

 To apparatus not on Wheatstone's principle repeaters can also be 

 applied, and this has been done even in such complicated machinery 

 as the duplex apparatus. 



Wheatstone's great achievements were the needle, alphabetic, and 

 automatic instruments. The first telegraph was erected on the 

 Camden incline, and is now called the fossil telegraph, though it only 

 dates as far back as 1837. It consisted of five wires inserted in wood, 

 and five needle instruments were fitted at each end. On recent 

 operations going on where this old- line was laid, portions of it were 

 dug up, and I have a piece now before you. 



Here is a photograph of an original document referring to the early 

 needle telegraph. It is now reflected on the screen, and you see that 

 in the year 1842, " under the special patronage of Her Majesty and 

 H.E.H. Prince Albert, the public are respectfully informed that this 

 interesting and extraordinary apparatus, by which upwards of fifty 

 signals can be transmitted 280,000 miles in one minute, may be seen 

 in operation daily (Sundays excepted), from 9 a.m. till 8 p.m. at 

 the teleerranh office. Paddineton. and tclesrraph cottaire. Slouch. 



