The fax machine was one of the most revolutionary office machines of the 20th century. It changed the way companies and individuals could share information, and it vastly decreased the time needed to exchange contracts, memos, and more.

In the past, people were hired to deliver messages across cities, states, and even countries. A courier going from New York City to California could take up to 10 days to make a delivery.

When was the fax machine invented?

Though fax (short for facsimile) machines are an almost iconic piece of technology that harks back to the 1980s, the first fax machine was actually invented in 1843 by Alexander Bain. He used the technology of the telegraph that had been created eight years prior by Samuel Morse. Bain wanted to expand on the idea of using electricity to transmit information long distances.

Bain’s machine saw almost 10 major improvements by various innovators over the next 100 years. In 1947, Alexander Muirhead created the fax machine as we know it today, and by 1955, transmissions could be broadcast across entire continents.

The fax machine in the modern era: virtual fax machine

Over the past decade or more, the popularity of the traditional fax machine has been on the decline. Fewer and fewer offices have them as most people have turned to email or other methods for sharing documents. However, many industries still require the use of a fax machine, including banking, legal, and real estate.

This is where a virtual fax can make all the difference. Virtual fax machines are just that: applications that live on different types of devices and can send faxes with all the accessibility and security of a traditional fax machine—and none of the hassle.

A modern virtual fax machine: 8x8

8x8 Work for Desktop is a cloud-based solution with many diverse uses, such as call forwarding, voicemail services, and—of course—virtual faxing, that keep your business connected and operating smoothly. With a virtual service like 8x8 Work, there's no need to source or maintain expensive, single-use hardware like a designated fax machine.

8x8 Work can support more than 20 different file types, and is easy to use. You can send a fax directly from your own device in just a few simple steps:

  • Install the 8x8 Work for Desktop application and log in
  • Select “Fax”
  • Select “New”
  • Add recipients in the “To:” field
  • Click the paperclip (Attach) to add files (or drag and drop files into the window)
  • Click “Send”

It's also possible to customize the cover of your fax. Simply:

  • Open a new fax
  • Click the arrow to the far right of the “Cover” line

This allows you to include recipient names and a custom message in the fax cover.

8x8 is focused on transforming faxing for modern businesses. Contact us today for more information, and bring your fax communications into the digital age.