Charles L. Krum

Charles L. Krum was a key figure in the development of the

teleprinter A teleprinter (teletypewriter, teletype or TTY) is an electromechanical device that can be used to send and receive typed messages through various communications channels, in both point-to-point and point-to-multipoint configurations. Init ...

, a machine which played a key role in the history of

telegraphy Telegraphy is the long-distance transmission of messages where the sender uses symbolic codes, known to the recipient, rather than a physical exchange of an object bearing the message. Thus flag semaphore is a method of telegraphy, whereas ...

and

computing Computing is any goal-oriented activity requiring, benefiting from, or creating computing machinery. It includes the study and experimentation of algorithmic processes, and development of both hardware and software. Computing has scientific, ...

. In 1902, electrical engineer Mr. Frank Pearne approached Mr. Joy Morton, head of

Morton Salt Morton Salt is an American food company producing salt for food, water conditioning, industrial, agricultural, and road/highway use. Based in Chicago, the business is North America's leading producer and marketer of salt. It is a subsidiary of h ...

, seeking a sponsor for Pearne's research into the practicalities of developing a printing

telegraph Telegraphy is the long-distance transmission of messages where the sender uses symbolic codes, known to the recipient, rather than a physical exchange of an object bearing the message. Thus flag semaphore is a method of telegraphy, whereas ...

system. Joy Morton needed to determine whether this was worthwhile and so consulted renowned mechanical engineer Charles Krum, who was vice president of the Western Cold Storage Company (which was run by Morton’s brother Mark Morton). Krum gave Joy Morton a positive response to the idea of helping Pearne, so space to set up a laboratory in the attic of Western Cold Storage was provided to Pearne. Pearne, after about a year of unsuccessful experiments, lost interest and left to get involved in teaching. Krum was prepared to continue Pearne’s work, and in August, 1903 a patent was filed for a ‘typebar page printer’ ( issued in May, 1908). In the following year, 1904 Krum filed a patent for a ‘type wheel

printing telegraph The printing telegraph was invented by Royal Earl House in 1846. House's equipment could transmit around 40 instantly readable words per minute, but was difficult to manufacture in bulk. The printer could copy and print out up to 2,000 words per ...

machine’ which was issued in August, 1907. In 1906 Charles Krum's son, Howard Krum, graduated in electrical engineering and joined his father in this work. It was Howard who developed the start-stop synchronizing method for code telegraph systems, which made possible the practical teleprinter. This was recognized in filed in May, 1910, and issued in December, 1918. American inventors American engineers Year of death missing Year of birth missing {{US-inventor-stub