Morse Code / Telegraph Inker Machine

Although most Morse code messages were copied down by an operator, sometimes a direct record of the message was needed and for this a Morse Inker was used as part of the telegraph system.

Morse Telegraph History Includes:
Morse telegraph history Morse keys development Vibroplex & mechanical bug keys Telegraph sounder Morse inker Samuel Morse Fascinating facts Morse code SOS message

Morse keys:
Clipsal key Camelback Walters Electrical Patt 1056A Post Office key Steel lever Morse telegraph key RAF Bathtub Morse key Samson ETM-5C electronic keyer

Although Morse telegraph traffic was read by operators and written down by them, on some occasions a direct indication of the characters sent over the wire was needed.

Although operators were very practised at sending and receiving, when a message had been sent, there was no way or retrieving it if letters were missed. Also if a permanent record was needed, then the hand writing of the operator may not have been sufficient.

Another instance when a Morse telegraph inker machine may have been required was if a station was to be left unattended for a short while. Messages sent would appear on the inker machine, although for longer periods of inactivity, lots of paper would be wasted.

When this was required, typically a Morse telegraph inker was used. These Morse code machines were used on a number of occasions although these machines are now relatively rare.

Morse inker beginnings

Although Samuel Morse invented a Morse embosser which was used for the 1844 inaugural transmission, this Morse code machine was not particularly effective because it was difficult to read the embossed markings.

The next Morse telegraph machine as a chemical recorder introduced in 1845 by Bain.

However the most successful Morse code machine was the Morse Inker which was invented in 1854 by Thomas John of Vienna.

The Morse inker used an inked wheel which was brought into contact with the paper for key down periods. The paper was moved along powered by a clockwork motor, so it would not keep operational indefinitely. However the clockwork mechanisms were developed sufficiently well so that they would be able to operate satisfactorily for some while, and they could easily be re-wound as needed.

Morse inker photos

An image of a Morse telegraph inker machine used for marking telegraph characters directly onto paper — Morse telegraph inker machine

In this machine, the inked wheel moves up and down to provide the intermittent inking of the dots and dashes on the paper. The clockwork motor is regulated to provide a constant paper speed and in this way make the makings decipherable.

This Morse inker is a British machine from the early 1900s.

Paper feed mechanism on a Morse telegraph inker — Paper feed on a Morse telegraph inker

The paper feed system stored paper similar to that used for punched tape used for teleprinters and the like. It was a long roll and about an inch across. This was fed through the paper handling system shown, and the inked wheel dropped onto it when the inker was activated during key down periods. It lifted away from the paper for key-up periods.

The paper was fed through at a steady rate by the clockwork mechanism so that the length of the dots and dashes could be seen.

Electromagnet mechanism on a Morse telegraph inker — Electromagnet on a Morse telegraph inker

The electromagnet system was similar to that used on sounders. It pulled levels to actuate the inked wheel so that it came into contact with the paper during key down periods.