Difference between revisions of "Message register camera"

From Camera-wiki.org
Jump to: navigation, search
(Links: added link)
m (Bolded name)
 
(7 intermediate revisions by 3 users not shown)
Line 6: Line 6:
 
|image_text= Message Register camera
 
|image_text= Message Register camera
 
|image_by= PanelSwitchman
 
|image_by= PanelSwitchman
|image_rights= creative commons
+
|image_rights= non-commercial
 
}}
 
}}
A message register camera is a fixed-focus camera specifically designed to photograph the message registers of automatic telephone exchanges for billing purposes and to avoid transcription errors.<ref>For background on excanges see [http://www.seg.co.uk/telecomm/automat3.htm here].—For the mechanics of photographing message registers, see for example: Photographing  Message Registers Using KS-20900 L1 Message Register Camera. ''Bell System Practices AT&TCo Standard Section'' 030-304-301  Issue 1, October 1972 ([http://www.telephonecollectors.info/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_view&gid=5977&Itemid=2  PDF of the manual]).</ref> In the beginning they were custom-designed cameras, such as the Factograph  manufactured by [[Graflex]] which underwent development from the late-1920s<ref>
+
A '''Message register camera''' is a fixed-focus camera specifically designed to photograph the message registers<ref>The 'phone-call meter' (UK) was called a message register in the USA.</ref> of automatic telephone exchanges for billing purposes and to avoid transcription errors.<ref>For background on exchanges see [http://www.seg.co.uk/telecomm/automat3.htm here].—For the mechanics of photographing message registers, see for example: Photographing  Message Registers Using KS-20900 L1 Message Register Camera. ''Bell System Practices AT&TCo Standard Section'' 030-304-301  Issue 1, October 1972 ([http://www.telephonecollectors.info/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_view&gid=5977&Itemid=2  PDF of the manual]).</ref> In the beginning they were custom-designed cameras, such as the Factograph  manufactured by [[Graflex]] which underwent development from the late-1920s<ref>
 
'New Magic worked by cameras' ''Popular Science'' vol. 113, nº 3, September 1928, pp. 25-26, 138-139, esp. 139.—
 
'New Magic worked by cameras' ''Popular Science'' vol. 113, nº 3, September 1928, pp. 25-26, 138-139, esp. 139.—
 
'Picture of telephone meter assures true reading.' ''Popular Mechanics'', November 1932, p. 758.—
 
'Picture of telephone meter assures true reading.' ''Popular Mechanics'', November 1932, p. 758.—
'Huge Camera reads meters to count telephone calls.' ''Popular Science'' vol. 131 nº 1,  July 1937, p. 37.</ref>  until the 1950s (models T-5 and T-6)<ref>Seen in an on-line auction.</ref> Later they were either standard cameras with focus and exposure locked down or factory-customised versions of standard cameras, such as the  [[Topcon T]] manufactured by [[Topcon | Tokyo Kogaku]].
+
'Huge Camera reads meters to count telephone calls.' ''Popular Science'' vol. 131 nº 1,  July 1937, p. 37.</ref><ref name="Connor">
 +
Connor, Steve (1983) New Telephone Bills detail every call. ''New Scientist'' 19 May 1983, pp. 448-449.</ref>  until the 1950s (models T-5 and T-6).<ref>Seen in an on-line auction.</ref> Later they were either standard cameras with focus and exposure locked down or factory-customised versions of standard cameras, such as the  [[Topcon T]] manufactured by [[Topcon | Tokyo Kogaku]]. The increased computerisation in the early 1980s saw photographic documentation of message registers rapidly declining.<ref name="Connor" />
  
==Links==
 
* [http://www.scienceandsociety.co.uk/results.asp?image=10460767 Science & Society Picture Library (UK)] [http://www.scienceandsociety.co.uk/results.asp?image=10460770&itemw=4 additional image]
 
  
 
== Notes ==
 
== Notes ==
Line 25: Line 24:
 
|image_text= Message Register Frame of 10 x 10 counters
 
|image_text= Message Register Frame of 10 x 10 counters
 
|image_by= PanelSwitchman
 
|image_by= PanelSwitchman
|image_rights= creative commons
+
|image_rights= non-commercial
 
}}
 
}}
  
  
 
[[Category: Message register cameras]]
 
[[Category: Message register cameras]]

Latest revision as of 05:20, 26 January 2020

A Message register camera is a fixed-focus camera specifically designed to photograph the message registers[1] of automatic telephone exchanges for billing purposes and to avoid transcription errors.[2] In the beginning they were custom-designed cameras, such as the Factograph manufactured by Graflex which underwent development from the late-1920s[3][4] until the 1950s (models T-5 and T-6).[5] Later they were either standard cameras with focus and exposure locked down or factory-customised versions of standard cameras, such as the Topcon T manufactured by Tokyo Kogaku. The increased computerisation in the early 1980s saw photographic documentation of message registers rapidly declining.[4]


Notes

  1. The 'phone-call meter' (UK) was called a message register in the USA.
  2. For background on exchanges see here.—For the mechanics of photographing message registers, see for example: Photographing Message Registers Using KS-20900 L1 Message Register Camera. Bell System Practices AT&TCo Standard Section 030-304-301 Issue 1, October 1972 (PDF of the manual).
  3. 'New Magic worked by cameras' Popular Science vol. 113, nº 3, September 1928, pp. 25-26, 138-139, esp. 139.— 'Picture of telephone meter assures true reading.' Popular Mechanics, November 1932, p. 758.— 'Huge Camera reads meters to count telephone calls.' Popular Science vol. 131 nº 1, July 1937, p. 37.
  4. 4.0 4.1 Connor, Steve (1983) New Telephone Bills detail every call. New Scientist 19 May 1983, pp. 448-449.
  5. Seen in an on-line auction.