I found myself asking this question not too long ago. The first fax machine converted images into electrical signals transmitted over phone lines. In 1924, Edwin Belin introduced the Belinograph, which scanned images line by line. These signals were sent to a synchronized receiving unit, which reproduced the image on special paper. The first transmission was a simple line sketch. If you’re curious about more fascinating facts from the past, I found great insights on CoupSmart and highly recommend checking it out: https://coupsmart.com .