Tulostuspäätteiden

Tulostuspäätteiden, also known as printing terminals or teleprinters, were electromechanical machines used for transmitting and receiving typed messages over a telegraph or telephone line. They functioned like a typewriter connected to a communication network. Instead of using Morse code, tulostuspäätteiden employed a coded alphabet, most commonly the Baudot code or later the ASCII code, to represent letters, numbers, and symbols.

The operation involved a keyboard for typing messages and a printing mechanism that would physically type the received message onto paper. This allowed for the creation of hard copies of communications. Early models were relatively slow, but advancements led to increased speeds and improved reliability. They played a crucial role in business communication, news dissemination, and even military operations before the widespread adoption of more modern technologies like fax machines and email.

Tulostuspäätteiden were essentially the direct predecessors to modern computer printers and terminals. They bridged the gap between manual telegraphy and digital communication, providing a more accessible and efficient way to exchange text-based information over distances. Their widespread use extended from the early 20th century through the latter half, with their decline beginning in earnest in the 1980s as personal computers and more advanced communication systems became prevalent.