TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION - BERGSTRÄSSER, J.A.B.

Uebersichten und Erweiterungen der Signal=Order und Zielschreiberei in der ferne oder neue Synthematographe und Telegraphe. Mit sechzehn Kupfertafeln.

Leipzig, Breitkopf, 1795. Contemp. hcalf. spine gilt. titlelabel with gilt lettering. A paperlabel pasted on spine. Light wear aling edges. Stamp on title-page. XII,204 pp., 16 folded engraved plates. Clean and fine.

Scarce first edition. In this work, Bergsträsser develops a synthematographic, or "whole communication" system, employing a telegraphic apparatus which uses both visual and auditory signals. The author is particularly anxious to demonstrate the difference between his own scheme for signaling, and that of the Frenchman Claude Chappe. Bergsträsser argues that Chappe merely modified an earlier optical system propsed by the English experimental philosopher Robert Hooke (1635-1703), while his own scheme is not subject to the limitations of sight. Bergsträsser sees his synthematograph as primarily suited to military uses.

Order-nr.: 56254