Autopen

An Autopen is a machine used to create automated autographs.

History

The first autopens were developed during the late 19th century, 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 a Unotchit, 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. There are rumors that celebrity matricies are bought and sold by autograph vendors and reused to sign photos without the consent of the original celebrity.

Is it an autopen autograph or not?

Many celebrities who receive a lot of postal mail from fans actually answer by sending real autographs back to their fans. Because of the autopen, many fans may question the authenticity of their autograph received by postal mail.

There are two signs of an autograph not made with an autopen:

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

• Because autopen machines' autographs are usually based on a single copy of the signature, compare it with a second signature. Stephen Beck has published many astronauts' autopens on the internetTemplate:Fn.

• Autopen's signature is slightly shaky as the autopen machines vibrate when it is used.

• Autopen come to abrupt halt at the end of letter and it often leave a notable spot of ink.

• Autopen do not always create identical signature. If the paper or the autopen machine is moved accidentally when it is being signed, small differences will be noticeable.

See also

• Unotchit

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