# fax

> method of transmitting images, often of documents

**Wikidata**: [Q132744](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q132744)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fax)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/fax

## Summary
Fax is a method of transmitting images, typically documents, over a distance using telecommunications technology such as telephone lines. It allows for the reproduction of printed material at a remote location through scanning and signal transmission. The technology was first conceptualized in 1843.

## Key Facts
- Inception date: May 27, 1843
- Instance of: Communications media, telecommunications technology
- Replaces: Telautograph
- Aliases include: telecopying, telefax, facsimile, faxing, télécopie
- Uses: telephone line, fax machine, fax number
- Unicode characters associated with fax: 📠, ℻, 🖷
- Sitelink count across platforms: 74
- Described by source: *The New Student's Reference Work* under "Telephotography"
- Related technologies: Fultograph (inception 1928), Sealfax, black fax, Group 1 fax machine

## FAQs
### Q: What is a fax machine used for?
A: A fax machine is used to send and receive copies of documents or images over telephone lines. It scans the document into electronic signals, transmits them to another fax device, which then prints out the received copy.

### Q: When was fax invented?
A: The concept of fax technology was first developed on May 27, 1843. Modern fax machines became widely adopted in business environments during the mid-to-late 20th century.

### Q: How does fax work?
A: A fax machine works by scanning a document and converting it into electrical signals that represent light and dark areas. These signals are transmitted via telephone lines to another fax machine, which reconstructs the image onto paper.

## Why It Matters
Fax played a pivotal role in revolutionizing long-distance communication before digital alternatives like email became widespread. It enabled businesses, governments, and individuals to share signed contracts, medical records, legal documents, and other time-sensitive materials instantly across continents. Despite being largely supplanted by modern methods, fax remains relevant in sectors requiring secure analog transmission or regulatory compliance, particularly in healthcare, law enforcement, and government institutions. Its legacy underscores the evolution from mechanical to digital communication systems.

## Notable For
- First practical implementation of remote image transmission predating email and cloud-based sharing
- Persistent use in regulated industries due to perceived security and authenticity
- Integration with existing telephone infrastructure without requiring internet connectivity
- Recognition through multiple standardized formats and international terminology variations
- Cultural icon represented by dedicated Unicode symbols (📠, ℻)

## Body
### History and Development
Fax technology traces back to the invention of the electric telegraph and early attempts at visual communication over distances. Alexander Bain patented an early form of fax technology in 1843, making it one of the earliest forms of image transmission. Over time, innovations led to commercial applications including newspapers and eventually office equipment.

### Technical Overview
A typical fax process involves:
- Scanning a physical document into binary data
- Encoding the data using protocols such as ITU-T Group standards (Groups 1–4)
- Transmitting the encoded data over analog phone lines
- Decoding and printing the received data at the destination

Modern fax can also operate digitally over IP networks (VoIP) using T.38 protocol extensions.

### Variants and Related Technologies
Several related technologies exist within the broader scope of fax:
- **Fultograph** – An industrial image transmission system introduced in 1928
- **Black Fax** – Prank transmissions intended to waste resources
- **Group 1 Fax Machine** – Early standardization category based on speed and resolution capabilities
- **GNU HaliFAX** – Open-source software suite aiming to provide full fax support on GNU/Linux systems

### Usage Contexts
Fax continues to be employed in specialized contexts where reliability and simplicity outweigh convenience:
- Legal documentation requiring wet signatures
- Healthcare settings exchanging patient records securely
- Government agencies maintaining analog backup communications
- Banking and finance sectors adhering to legacy workflows

Legacy devices such as the **Thomson Thomfax 2000**, launched in France in 1982, exemplify the hardware era when fax dominated interoffice correspondence.

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  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "fax",
  "description": "method of transmitting images, often of documents",
  "sameAs": [
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    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fax"
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## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
2. YSO-Wikidata mapping project
3. [Source](https://golden.com/wiki/Fax-9X5Z)
4. National Library of Israel
5. KBpedia
6. Wikibase TDKIV