The fax machine was actually invented long ago. Alexander Bain invented the fax machine in 1843 and received a patent. He was a Scottish mechanic and his idea was an off-shoot of Samuel Morse's invention of the telegraph. In 1902, Dr. Arthur Korn made improvements to the machine adding the photoelectric system to the idea. AT&T worked to improve the technology and in 1924 created a means of transmitting pictures for newspapers over long distances. In 1955, the first fax transmission across the continent occurred. Since then, there has been amazing progress.

Today's fax machines, fax cartridges and fax rolls are inexpensive enough that just about every office and many homes have this capability. These automated machines are small, easy to use and affordable to purchase and operate.

Fax cartridges contain the toners which bonds to the fax roll paper using an electrostatic process. The transmission comes over the telephone line, audible to humans as a bunch of beeps and buzzes. The fax understands how these signals mean for the toner to be affixed to the paper to provide the exact image as the document being faxed over.

Fax paper rolls are a special type of paper that allows the toner to bond properly. The paper feels somewhat slick to the touch. One fax roll will produce many faxes.

Fax cartridges can be obtained as original or non-original equipment and also as refurbished equipment. Original fax cartridges are the most expensive solution because these cartridges are brand new and are not expected to be refilled. Non-original fax cartridges are generic cartridges made by a different manufacturer than the original fax cartridge. These are less expensive than the original fax cartridges. The least expensive solution is the refurbished, refilled fax cartridges. These cartridges have been used and then recycled, reconditioned and refilled for another use. Usually, when using this type of fax cartridge, you purchase a refurbished cartridge for your fax, use the cartridge and then return it for recycling and obtain another refurbished cartridge.

Fax machines which use fax cartridges and fax rolls have become so inexpensive today. Many business contracts are signed and processed via the fax machine. Some of the biggest deals in business today are finalized by fax. If you do not yet own one of these handy machines, you'll be surprised when you learn how affordable they are and how much time can be saved by the use of a fax machine with a fax cartridge and fax roll