A Florentine in in Paris: The Caselli pantelegraph and its successors, 1859–1871

Abstract

The world's first commercial facsimile service began between Paris and Lyon in 1865, reflecting a conjunction of good design, superb craftsmanship, need for a faster alternative to Morse telegraphy, and imperial patronage. Although technological and economic shortcomings stopped Abbe Caselli's pantelegraphs in 1867, the French telegraph administration tested other fax systems to increase the speed and accuracy of telegram service. Facsimile machines proved faster than conventional Morse machines, but the automatic printing telegraph was even faster and less expensive. Other countries faced similar challenges with telegraphy, but patronage and craftsmanship distinguished facsimile in France.