From the 1940s into the 1980s almost all text messaging went via mechanical teletypewriters. Newspapers were early adopters of the teletypewriter, starting about 1920, to receive news items from multiple sources for their newspapers.

The enclosed picture shows the New York Times "Wire Room" in 1942, where news items were received from multiple sources for their paper. Model 15s in the foreground and Model 12s in the background. Accompanying text with the picture says:

"September 3, 1942. "New York, New York. Wire room of the New York Times newspaper. Copy boy about to tear off dispatch from the Associated Press wire." Medium format acetate negative by Marjory Collins for the Office of War Information."

Have fun,

Duncan
K2OEQ