13.4

//Source(s): Source: MENLO PARK REMINISCENCES. Volume One by Francis Jehl// Dover Publications Inc 1990, originally published by the Edison Institute, 1937 ISBN 0-486-26357-6
 * Dead medium: the Edison Electric Pen**
 * From: bruces@well.com (Bruce Sterling)**

pages 96 - 99 "With the coming of the typewriter and the subsequent use of that machine in preparing stencils, the electric pen passed from use. At one time, however, more than 60,000 were in offices, and its use had spread outside the United States. It could be found in many government offices in Washington, D.C., as well as the majority of large industries such as railroads. (...) "The electric pen was not confined to circular letters and the like, but could be found in restaurants where it was used for making up the bill of fare. I well remember buying a book on 'How to Learn to Telegraph,' containing many different diagrams of sounders, relays, and switches, which were all printed by the Edison Electric Pen process. "Then there was a comic sheet, which was circulated by some sort of telegraphic fraternity. (((Note: this "comic sheet" may be the earliest known "net fanzine," telegraphic net-gossip reproduced in hard copy with an Edison Electric Pen.))) It was also prepared with the Edison pen, and you would be surprised at the artistic designs which could be produced by this little device. "Among the treasures in the Edison collection at Dearborn **(((Michigan, USA))) is a scrapbook (...) The** **book contains pictures, calling cards, letterheads,** **invoice forms, menus, and many other examples of work** **actually done with the electric pen back in 1875."**