Autopen

An Autopen is a machine for creating signing an signature as an autograph. They are capable of

History

The first autopens were developed by an Englishman named John Isaac Hawkins. Hawkins received a US patent for his device in 1803. In 1804, Thomas Jefferson began using the device extensively. This early device was known at the time as a polygraph—an abstracted version of the pantograph—bearing little resemblance to today's autopens in design or operation.

Harry Truman is believed to have been the first United States President to use the autopen as a way of responding to mail and signing checks. Autopen devices are used today by politicians and fundraisers to sign letters to constituents written by administrative assistants and clerical staff, and by celebrities such as movie and music stars, and even astronauts, to sign photographs.

Today's autopens are often used to allow someone to be in two places at once. A politician can be flying around the country, while his staff sign letters on his behalf. Donald Rumsfeld admitted using an autopen to sign letters to the family of people killed in action, but when questioned on the subject, stated it was inappropriate and now signs these letters personally.

Further developing the class of devices known as autopens, Canadian author Margaret Atwood developed a device called the Longpen, which allows audio and video conversation between the fan and author while a book is being signed remotely.

Mechanism

The first step in using an autopen machine is to have a metal "matrix" of the signature made. This matrix is then loaded into the machine and signing can commence. Some claim that celebrity matrices are bought and sold by autograph vendors to sign photos without the consent of the original celebrity.

Is it an autopen autograph or not?

Many celebrities answer fan mail by sending autographs back. Because of existence of the autopen, many fans may question the authenticity of an autograph if unable to witness it being made.

There are several telling characteristics which may reveal whether an autograph was made with an autopen:

• Celebrities using autopen machines usually do not change their signature for one particular fan. Therefore, if the autograph is personalized (as in "To James, cheers, John Smith"), then it is highly probable that an autopen was not used.

• Because autopen operators generally use only a single template, variation with other signature samples indicates non-autopen use. Stephen Beck has published many astronauts' autopens on the internetTemplate:Fn.

• An autopen's signature is slightly shaky as the autopen vibrates.

• Autopens come to abrupt halt at the end and may leave a noticeable spot of ink.

• Autopens do not always create an identical signature due to the machine moving accidentally.

External links

• Automated Signature Technology, a signature machine manufacturer.
• A site with information on autopen signatures
• A site that tells how to detect an autopenned signature
• Thomas Jefferson's Polygraph

• Isitreal.com - Maybe the largest online Autopen autograph library worldwide
• Template:Fnb collectSPACE: Identifying Astronaut Autopens
• Buzz Aldrin Astronaut Autopen Guide