The Fax Machine: Gone But Not Forgotten

Sadly, fax machines have now become a rare sight. Businesses choose alternative methods, such as emails, websites, smartphones and scanners to send documents.

What Did They Do?

Once an integral part of businesses before the internet, many fax machines have disappeared in workplaces. The retro device enabled the sender to send documents over phone lines.

A fax machine is made up of a telephone connection, paper tray, scanner or other means of document input, and an output tray to collect sent documents. The sender enters their details, scans or enters the document they want to ping over, dials the telephone number, and then presses “Send”. The recipient’s fax machine will then print out the document on the other end.

Faxing 1970s-1980s

In the 1960s, American and Japanese companies popularized facsimile machines beyond their original niche markets, promoting them for wider business use. The success of fax technology can be credited to three main factors.

Innovators like Xerox and Graphic Science revolutionized the fax industry, generating fresh excitement. Between 1970 and 1980, the United States saw its fax machine numbers rise from 25,000 to 250,000. But the most remarkable growth occurred from 1985 to 1990 when installations jumped from 500,000 to a staggering 5 million, predominantly manufactured in Japan.

This rapid expansion of low-cost machines made faxing a vital part of the developing global telecommunications network. Japanese design engineers skillfully integrated multiple technologies to produce a smaller, more affordable, faster, and adaptable machine that was easy to operate with minimal training.

Social Effect

In the 1980s, economics and technology finally reached the level of the envisioned future. The convenience of experimentation and operation, paired with its cost-effectiveness and nearly universal adoption, turned facsimile into a democratic technology that was within reach for all.

The innovative ways in which it was utilised proved to be just as captivating and crucial as the technological innovations themselves. For instance, during the student uprisings in China in 1989, Chinese expatriates managed to bypass the government’s censorship rules by faxing updates and responses about the protests back to their fellow citizens in their home country.

Faxing Is Old!

According to historical sources, the concept of faxing originated in 1843, making it close to 180 years old today. The pioneer behind this technology was Alexander Bain, a Scottish clockmaker and inventor.

He developed the first fax system, which was an electric telegraph capable of sending images in addition to text.

Fax Machines Were Unpopular At First

Fax machines entered the business communication world before telephones, as they were introduced to the market earlier. However, they were not as widely used as telephones due to their high cost and limited capabilities compared to modern versions.

Sending A Fax In Slow Motion

Nowadays, sending a fax generally takes less than two seconds from start to finish. Initially, the process took about six minutes, whether the fax was going across the street or the globe. By the 1970s, the time frame had been reduced by half.

Fax Machines Had Many Advantages

Early fax machines were initially used for transmitting text and images via telegraph wires. Despite their simple beginnings, innovative individuals from various fields recognised the extensive opportunities they presented.

In addition to revolutionising communication, fax machines were also considered for their potential to transform electric clocks and regulate the generation and distribution of electrical currents.

The Slow Death of Fax

The fax machine has become outdated technology, and there’s no denying it. Invented in the 1800s, widely used in the 1970s, and replaced by digital advancements in the late 90s, this device truly belongs in museums.

As we advance deeper into the digital age, it’s clear that old fax machines simply can’t keep up. These devices come with numerous shortcomings that hinder their ability to function in today’s work settings.

From challenges with data protection and serious security vulnerabilities to concerns about cost-effectiveness and limited adaptability for improving workflows, there are many reasons why fax machines are fading into the background.

A New Chapter: Online Faxing

Online faxing leverages modern techniques and tools to give businesses the essential fax functionality they require. This includes advanced data encryption, compatibility with computers and smartphones, cloud-based document sharing, electronic signature verification, and more.

It offers the same basic functionality as a fax machine, allowing the sender to send visual documents quickly and efficiently. They can also effortlessly receive documents from other digital fax services, email, or fax machines. Many workplaces have ditched outdated fax machines and opted for this unparalleled solution.