Definition of Telex
Telex (TELegraph EXchange) is a telecommunications service that allows typed messages to be sent and received using typewriters connected to a communication network. Messages can be transmitted over long distances, nationally and internationally, through dedicated electrical circuits. Both the sender and receiver must be subscribers to the telex service.
Examples of Telex Use
- Business Communication: Prior to the advent of modern communication technologies, businesses used telex for sending official documents and communications swiftly over long distances.
- News Agencies: News agencies once relied heavily on telex to distribute news dispatches to various media organizations around the world.
- Diplomatic Communication: Embassies and diplomatic missions frequently utilized telex for secure and immediate communication between different locations.
Frequently Asked Questions about Telex
What is the main difference between telex and fax?
Telex is a text-based telecommunication system that transmits typed messages, while a fax transmits scanned copies of documents, including text and images.
How does telex work?
Telex operates through a network of telegraph circuits. Users type messages on teletypewriter machines, which are encoded and transmitted over the network to the recipient’s teletypewriter machine, producing a printed copy of the message.
Is telex still in use today?
While the use of telex has significantly declined due to advancements in fax, email, and other digital communication methods, certain sectors such as aviation and some financial institutions still use telex for specific purposes.
What replaced the telex system?
The facsimile (fax) machine is primarily the technology that replaced telex, followed by email and other Internet-based communication methods.
Can telex be considered secure compared to modern communication methods?
Telex offered a certain level of security due to its dedicated circuits and reduced risk of interception compared to early phone lines. However, modern digital encryption techniques provide far superior security.
Related Terms
FAX
A FAX (facsimile) machine scans documents and sends them over a telephone line to produce a printed copy at the receiving end. It has largely supplanted telex for many business communications due to its capability to send not just text but also images.
Telegraph
An older form of electronic communication that uses coded text messages transmitted over wires. The telegraph was the precursor to telex and used Morse code.
Email (Electronic Mail)
A modern digital communication method that allows users to send text messages, images, and attachments over the Internet. It has significantly replaced both telex and fax for most routine communications.
Online References
- Telegraphy and Telex on Wikipedia
- Telex History on IEEE Global History Network
- Telecommunication Basics on Investopedia
Suggested Books for Further Studies
- “The Victorians and the World in the Telegraph Age” by David Howes
- “The History of the Telex Network: From Morse Code to SMS” by Walter L. Pond
- “Introduction to Telecommunications” by Anura Guruge
- “The Worldwide History of Telecommunications” by Anton A. Huurdeman
Fundamentals of Telex: Telecommunications Basics Quiz
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