Definition of telex

The word "telex" originated from a combination of two words - "telem" (telegraph) and "exchange" (exchange). It was coined in the late 19th century as a way to describe a new technology that allowed for the transmission of text messages over long distances using electronic signals. This innovative system, known as the Telegraphic Exchange Apparatus, was developed by the British Post Office Telegraphs department in the early 1900s. The first commercial telex service was launched in the UK in 1958, rapidly replacing the older teleprinter technology and revolutionizing the way businesses communicated in real-time over long distances. Today, the term "telex" has largely been replaced by more modern forms of digital communication such as email and instant messaging, but it remains an important part of telecommunications history.