So while everyone knows, or should know, that most celebrity autographs out there are fakes, who knew that there is such a history of gadgetry designed for the purpose? Thomas Jefferson invented a machine he dubbed the ‘polygraph’ (no relation) which was a pen attached to a jury-rigged get up attached to other pens, sort of a fancy colonial version of those autosigner toys you could make with Tinker Toys as a kid, that allowed him to sign multiple documents at once — meaning even your John Hancock autograph could theoretically be a dupe.
More, plus links, after the jump.
Presidents pushed much of the technology, as Harry Truman used a version to sign multiple checks at a time, and Jimmy Carter used a commercial variant called the ‘SignaSigner’ designed by a company that soon went out of business. The SignaSigner could even duplicate whole pages of text at time, a noteworthy function sure to have been eclipsed by Xerox even if they had stayed around a little longer.
The most useful one, though, is the Autopen, made by International Autopen Co. of Sterling, VA., a popular device that is apparently still in use (the Republic National Committee bought one just this year). The Autopen is loaded with special metal ‘matrix’ — basically a traced pattern of the signature — that can be used again and again, even if the signer isn’t there. Even better, owners of Autopens can purchase signature matrices through the mail from third parties, duplicating any autograph at will. Current models of the Autopen weigh around 100lbs, run off regular power, and can use real pens and pencils (although they work better with Sharpies, due to the fixed width of the pen looking less off when done with marker).
Thanks to Azul and the commenters on Metafilter for the links.
Read – Watch Out For Autopens [Novaspace]
Read – The FIRST online guide to autopen patterns [GeoCities]
Read – How To Spot a Fake [GeoCities]
Update: Gizmodo reader Joe Howley reminds us that, among other things devices he invented, Thomas Jefferson’s Polygraph can be seen on display at his home, Monticello. (Pronounced properly, unlike the denizens of Monticello, Iowa, those bastards). Here’s a link with a pic.
Read [Monticello]
