Teletípusok

Teletípusok, often referred to as teleprinters or teletypewriters, are electromechanical machines designed for transmitting and receiving text messages over a telegraphic circuit. These devices function similarly to a typewriter but are connected to a communication line. When a key is pressed on the transmitting teletypewriter, it generates a series of electrical pulses that represent the character. These pulses travel over a wire to the receiving teletypewriter, which then translates them back into a printed character on paper.

The development of the teletypewriter in the late 19th and early 20th centuries revolutionized long-distance communication. They were crucial for businesses, news agencies, and governments for transmitting important information quickly and reliably. Early teletypewriters used various coding systems, with the Baudot code being one of the most prevalent. Later models adopted the five-bit International Telegraph Alphabet No. 2 (ITA2), which allowed for a wider range of characters and functions.

Teletypewriters were instrumental in the early days of the telegraph and later formed the backbone of early computer networks and time-sharing systems. They provided a relatively low-cost and user-friendly method for sending textual data. While largely superseded by more modern technologies like fax machines, modems, and the internet, the principles behind teletypewriters laid the groundwork for many subsequent communication innovations. Their legacy can be seen in the fundamental concepts of character encoding and serial data transmission.