The fax machine was invented in 1843 , with Scottish inventor Alexander Bain credited for the first fax-like device, often called the Electric Printing Telegraph.

Quick Scoop

  • Year invented: 1843.
  • Inventor: Alexander Bain.
  • What it did: Sent images or written material line by line over wires using early electrical signals.
  • Later milestone: More practical commercial faxing came later, including systems used in France in the 1860s.

If you want, I can also give you a 1-minute timeline of fax machine history.