Think the Fax Machine is Dead? Not in Japan – Faxed: The Rise and Fall of the Fax Machine By Jonathan Coopersmith

Tokyo, Japan – Review by: Richard H. Davis – In a world where technology evolves at a breakneck pace, one relic of the past still stands tall in the land of the rising sun: the fax machine. Jonathan Coopersmith’s Faxed: The Rise and Fall of the Fax Machine delves into the intriguing history of this once-revolutionary device, tracing its journey from humble beginnings to its surprising persistence in contemporary Japan.

Fascinating Fax History

Richard H. Davis, in his review of Coopersmith’s work, highlights the fascinating tale of how the fax machine, often considered a product of modern electronics, actually traces its roots back to 1843. With almost 150 years passing before its widespread adoption, the fax machine’s journey is one of perseverance and adaptation. Japan’s enduring love affair with the fax machine is perhaps the most striking example of its resilience. Despite the advancements of digital communication and the proliferation of email, Japanese offices still rely on the familiar whirring of fax machines.

This cultural phenomenon prompts us to question our assumptions about technology and its adoption across different societies. Davis challenges traditional narratives surrounding technological innovation, shedding light on lesser-known aspects of history, such as Alexander Graham Bell’s early inventions and their evolution into the telephone.

Telephone Revelation

According to Davis the history we are taught in school was all wrong – Bell did not invent the telephone, but an Amplified hearing aid to talk to his mother and wife who were both hearing impaired which included technology that could control the loudness, frequency and distortion of sounds in 1876 there was no market for an electric hearing aid, but the two devices hooked up to Telegraph wires became the telephone, a long-distance hearing aid.

“At $57.00 for the hardcover Edition, you could almost buy a new fax machine today,” notes Davis, emphasizing the enduring affordability and practicality of this seemingly outdated technology. “Living aboard the Motor Vessel Kamillian as a yacht-delivery skipper in the 1990s all we wanted was a $300.00 fax machine,” said Davis.

About the Author

Jonathan Coopersmith is a renowned historian specializing in the intersection of technology and society. His work has shed light on the overlooked stories behind iconic inventions, offering fresh perspectives on the evolution of modern technology.

About Richard H. Davis

Richard H. Davis is a distinguished inventor, a United States Merchant Marine, and a combat veteran. His extensive maritime experience includes serving as a yacht-delivery skipper during the United States Invasion of Panama, an event vividly chronicled in his unpublished manuscript “Sailor of Fortune.” This work provides a gripping account of his adventures at sea and on land aboard the Motor Vessel Kamillian.

Additionally, Mr. Davis is a respected photojournalist for Soft Drinks International Magazine in Britain. His insights and expertise have been featured on various national and regional media broadcasts, including CBS News, NBC News, Fox News, and ABC News, as well as in The New York Times, among other esteemed publications.