00 What is TTS?

The Teletypesetter System (TTS) was used for quick and remote typesetting. The individual components of the system can be used to control various typesetting machines. The method of remote data transmission is similar to that of the teletypewriter.

The letters to be typeset were entered via an electronic perforator. This consisted of a typewriter keyboard with additional control keys and a device for embossing punched tape. This contained characters and control commands for the typesetting machine in coded form (see also: punched card). The line width was set before the line was set, and a counting device indicated the remaining space. For long-distance transmission, the punched tape transmitter converted the signals into electrical pulses that could then be sent over wire. The transmitter managed up to 520 pulses per minute. The punched tape receiver stamped a second punched tape. A clear writing device was connected in parallel, which printed the clear text of the punched tape. Finally, the punched tape was inserted into the setting machine at the setting machine. This then controlled the setting process.

The Teletype system was also available in a stationary version, in which case only the perforator and the reader or the setting machine were used.

The electronic perforator allowed text to be entered about twice as fast as the mechanical key on the setting machine. The setting machine controlled the setting machine with an average of 20000 characters per hour.

The system was used on the Lumitype or as the “Lino-Quick Perforator” on the Linotype-Quick.