The term "teletype machine" has been used since the early 20th century to describe a device that can transmit and receive written messages over long distances. This technology has been essential to telegraphy and early computing.
Other terms for teletype machines are teleprinters, wire printers, and telewriters. These devices are often keyboard-operated, with a motor-driven mechanism that prints the received message onto a paper tape. They were widely used in news agencies, military organizations, and businesses up until the 1970s when teletypes were replaced by email, fax machines, and other electronic communication tools.
Today, teletypes are mostly seen in museums or as collectors' items, but their legacy remains as a significant development in the history of telecommunications.