Pictures by Radio

Radio Record, Volume II, Issue 13, 23 November 1928, Page 23

Pictures by Radio

New Service for B.B.C. THE 80th October marked the opening of a new wireless era in Great Britain. For the first time pictures were transmitted; henceforth a regular picture service is assured. Picture transmission, that is, the transmission of still pictures as different from television, has passed the experimental stage, and has now proved itself a definite utility to man. It has been commercialised. With regard to the first picture transmission in Great Britain two pictures, the first of which was that of the King, were transmitted from Daventry. The result was truly gratifying. An admirable representation resembling an ordinary sepia photograph was reproduced in London and Manchester. Arrangements have been finalised for demonstrations to take place in all the big centres. Great interest is being centred on this new phase of radiology, and the fact ‘that the conservative B.B.C, are to undertake the regular transmission of pictures clearly indicates that this branch of radio has come to stay, to prove itself as radio itself has done, a definite utility to man. The Fultograph System. HE system by which photos ‘are to be transmitted was invented by Captain Fulton, and has already been described and contrasted with television in this paper, September 28, 1928. Following is a brief summary of the principle :- The apparatus is certainly simple. On the top of a box is clockwork which revolves slowly a cylinder like the cylinder of an old type phonograph cylinder. Semi-absorbent paper, dipped in chemical solution, is placed round the cylinder and a platinum needle traces out in 84 minutes an easily-re-ecognisable portrait. It is claimed that a one-valve set with a suitable arrangement to replace the loudspeaker can reproduce the pictures a distance of one mile from the transmitting station. Bevond this more valves are required. When a photograph is to be trans-. mitted a negative is printed on a sheet

of zine or copper foil coated with sensitised fish glue. During the printing the glue exposed to the light becomes insoluble, Washing the glue removes the portion that has not been exposed to the light, leaving an insoluble image. This is hardened and impressed into tin. The glue picture is wrapped round the cylinder and as the cylinder revolves a metal stylus moves over it. The glue acts as an insulator, but when the stylus touches it a current passes and is transmitted. A somewhat similar arrangement at the receiving end causes an identicl picture to be traced out, Manufacturers are now busy preparing receiving apparatus which will go on the market at £23 each. This will put facilities to receive pictures in almost every home now possessing a radio. ° ' Service for Australia. TIXHE antipodes are not long following in the footsteps of the cautious parent, and it has been announced that the Commonwealth Postal Department are making arrangements for the transmission of pictures by means of telephone wires. By this means it will be possible to publish the picture of an event ‘happening half an hour earlier in an- ‘ other State. This is to be utilised by the Australian police, whose enterprise in the use of radio has already been made the subject of ang article. NEw. Zealand has already seen a demonstration of picture transmission, when Mr. Gibbs, of the Post and Telegraph Department, successfully demonstrated before a branch of the Philosophical Society. Mr. Morton Coutts, of 2AQ, is to take up experimental television in New Zealand. Television proper is, however still an art of the future, although the Amerieans are busily occupying themselves with the study. Short-wave enthusiasts constantly report having heard the carrier note of an American television station now on the air. According to one short-wave expert, the television ripple from 2XAF was louder than the carrier wave of 2YA. Picture transmission is advancing rapidly, and the next few years should see definite services established iu many quarters of the globe,