[GreenKeys] The Teletype as a modern marketing tool

[gil smith]

Hi folks:

Well, our company has a trade show coming up in a couple of weeks.  There 
is always a question of what to send customers/prospects in advance, to 
spur booth attendance.  A letter, brochure, postcard...something to jump 
out of their mailbox and get their attention.

So this year,  they are getting something new.  Well, actually, something 
old.  What they pull out of the envelope will be an old yellowed bit of 
paper.  When they unfold it, a small strip of yellow paper, with a bunch of 
holes, and a bit of printing, will fall out.   The letter reads:

PHOENIX, AUG. 21 (UPI) -- CEDIA 2003 COMMUNIQUE:

    IT IS ALMOST THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN.  AS YOU WANDER AROUND THE
CEDIA SHOW FLOOR, WE INVITE YOU TO STOP BY THE VAUX ELECTRONICS BOOTH.
WE WILL BE IN BOOTH 207 THIS YEAR, ACROSS FROM ZENITH.

    ON DISPLAY WILL BE A NEW HDTV COMPONENT SWITCHER -- A 4X4 THAT
SWITCHES 480I, 480P, 720P, OR 1080I HI-DEF COMPONENT, AS WELL AS
DIGITAL AUDIO.  OUTPUT ZONES CAN RUN UP TO 250 FEET ON RG-6 CABLING.

    IF YOU BRING THE ENCLOSED PERSONALIZED PAPER TAPE WITH YOU, YOU CAN
RUN IT THROUGH A TELETYPE TAPE READER, AND GET ENTERED IN A DRAWING
FOR A FREE LATTIS LE-400A 4X4 AUDIO MATRIX SWITCHER.

    WHAT BETTER WAY TO INTRODUCE NEW TECHNOLOGY THAN WITH OLD TECHNOLOGY!
THIS LETTER WAS PRINTED ON A TELETYPE MODEL 15-KSR PAGE PRINTER
(CIRCA 1940-1950).  THE ACTUAL ROLL PAPER IS PRETTY OLD TOO.

    YOUR PAPER TAPE WAS PUNCHED ON A TELETYPE MODEL 14-KTR TYPING REPERF
(CIRCA 1930-1940).  THIS IS A CHADLESS PUNCH, TO ALLOW TAPE PRINTING,
AND USES THE FIVE-LEVEL BAUDOT CODE.  OF COURSE THIS WAS ALL BEFORE THE
WIDER ASCII PAPER TAPE USED IN THE NOW FAMOUS MODEL 33-ASR.
THE M14 AND M15 RUN AT 60-WPM (45-BAUD).

    THE TAPE READER AT THE SHOW WILL BE A MODEL 28-TD (CIRCA 1950-1960),
A MODIFIED TEMPEST MODEL, REMOVED FROM SUBMARINE SERVICE.

    SEE YOU THERE!          YWAFC821GS  --  NNNN


The letter is the same for everyone, but the paper tape has their id 
number, name and company name printed/punched on it.  The 28-TD is small 
enough to actually take to the show, and let them run the tape.  The 
address label on the envelopes was also printed on the M15, cut out, and 
taped down, just to add to the funky concept, and to get their attention.

So who knows, maybe it'll get the interest of some folks (the programers, 
at least).  I bet it has never been done before!  Well, not lately, anyway.

Hmm, Hollerith cards next year?

gil



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;  vaux electronics, inc.             480-354-5556
;  www.vauxelectronics.com    (fax: 480-354-5558)
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