The Autopen machine was developed in the early part of this century and became popular in the late 1940's. Former president John F. Kennedy was the first president and popular celebrity to use the autopen machine on a regular daily basis. A pattern or template is made from a sample of the celebrity's signature at the Autopen company. After the template is installed and the photo, letter or document is placed under the machine's arm, the motor is turned on and the pen moves to re-create the signature. Hundreds of signatures per hour can be produced with this machine, usually by a secretary or assistant.

www.signaturemachine.com

Signature row turns up heat on Rumsfeld

Defence secretary admits machine signed Iraq condolence letters

The pressure on the beleaguered US defence secretary, Donald Rumsfeld, intensified yesterday and threatened to taint his main supporter in Washington, George Bush.

David Hackworth, a retired US army colonel turned writer, reported that Mr Rumsfeld had used a mechanical signature writer to sign his name on letters of condolence to relatives of soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Although the charge was initially denied by the Pentagon, Mr Rumsfeld issued a statement on Thursday acknowledging the practice and promising to halt it.

www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,12271,1377352,00.html

Last edited on 2006.04.05 09:18