Teleprinters or teletypes (printing telegraph devices) first appeared in use at the beginning of the 20th century as a replacement for electro-magnetic telegraphs.
The pioneer of teleprinters is considered to be the Canadian Frederick George Creed (1871-1957).
His telegraphic device was developed on the basis of a typewriter, which he modified so that it would automatically perforate holes in a paper ribbon when the operator would press the letter of the typing machine.
In 1902, the British Post Office purchased 12 copies of this device, but it spread no further because it was much faster than the previous telegraphic devices, and its widespread use would mean that many trained telegraph workers would become unemployed.
In 1907, the American Charles L. Krumm independently developed a prototype of a printing telegraphic device, also on the basis of a typewriter. His device was well accepted, and he founded the Kleinsmidt - Morkrum Company in Chicago, which in 1920 began to manufacture such instruments under the name of teletype, or teleprinter.
Soon afterwards several firms in Europe developed their own teleprinters, such as Siemens and Lorenz in Germany , Olivetti in Italy, Creed in England, and GNT in Denmark .
