Unifax

In 2006l New York University's Tamiment Library and Robert F. Wagner
Labor Archives received the archive of the Communist Party of the
USA.  Amongst the items are photographic "pre-press" prints, photos
that were transferred over wire by companies like the Associated
Press and United Press International, and printed on receiving
machines at local newspapers.  In particular we have identified one
process called Unifax, which was created by UPI c. 1953, and
replaced by a second process called Unifax II c.1975.

We are looking for other collections that may have some of these
prints, or any information about them. We are interested
specifically in Unifax because there is a lack of published
information about the printing technique (Unifax II is currently
well understood).

The photographs are printed on a thin, waxy paper support, and have
a dark brown image tone (although this color may result from
degradation).  The image appears to be made up of a series of thin
parallel lines.  The images off-set on each other and in their prior
storage folders, suggesting some chemical reaction, and therefore
some chemical components.  Please respond if you have any
information about Unifax (and its printing technique), or know of
the existence of these prints in any archives or photo-morgues.

    **** Moderator's comments:

    For those curious, images of the Unifax machines are online in
    Bob Lowry's "From UPI Collection"
    <URL:http://www.downhold.org/lowry/>

       "Man looks at photographs transmitted by the Unifax machine.
        Developed by United Press in the 1930s-1940s, it was the
        first automatic picture receiver. (UP Photo)"

            <URL:http://www.downhold.org/lowry/man+looks.jpg>

       "1955 version of UPI's Unifax photo machine. (UPI Photo"

            <URL:http://www.downhold.org/lowry/unifax-1955.jpg>

       "A UPI "Unifax" machine, an early type of a fax machine that
        used early photocopier technology, enabling the sending of
        picture data over telephone lines. (UPI Photo)"

            <URL:http://www.downhold.org/lowry/UNIFAX.jpg>

       "This photo was taken by Don Brydon, UPI general executive
        based in Chicago. At far left is Bill Lyon,
        VP-newspictures.; middle is Ray Macchini, veteran HX
        photographer and head photographer; between Macchini and
        Haney with his head turned away is Bob Kieckhefer; Paul
        Haney of KP bureau is on the right. Photo was taken at the
        Burlington (Iowa) Hawkeye newspaper, which was first paper
        in the world to order Unifax-II. (Courtesy of Paul Haney)"

            <URL:http://www.downhold.org/lowry/upi-unifax2.jpg>

        See also http://www.downhold.org/lowry/change.html

Maggie Wessling
Graduate Student in Photograph Conservation
Conservation Center
Institute of Fine Arts
New York University


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 25:20
                Distributed: Wednesday, October 19, 2011
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