Talk:Digital current loop interface

In the Loop
I believe the ability to connect multiple receivers into a current loop is the true origin of the expression(s) "in (out of) the loop". This was once a common practice with teletype circuits to newsrooms. E.g. search this page for "Provided a simple form of networking:".

Can anyone find a better reference - perhaps a more etymological one? Shannock9 (talk) 08:11, 16 June 2013 (UTC)


 * TheIdioms.com states that it comes from military terminology, when an officer's orders pass among enlisted men and then back to the officer as feedback. Gramarist.com states that the origin is unclear, with one theory being the military terminology above, and another being that it's evolved from the electronic control systems on aircraft. I've experienced audio comm systems wherein one is tied into one "loop" or another, and some stations are able to choose a loop. So I would guess that the current loop as the origin of "in the loop" is not likely to be true, unless it comes from some sort of audio current loop for those comm systems. Joe Avins (talk) 20:09, 26 October 2022 (UTC)

Similarity to telegraph systems
Telegraphs were also current loop systems. They also used current flowing as the idle state; an operator would close a switch to keep current going until he was ready to transmit, so any other operator could transmit from anywhere in the loop. I believe the current loop systems used in the teleprinters and Teletypes can be considered direct descendants of telegraphs. I'll search for a reference to back that up, but if anybody has one available please go ahead and beat me to it. Joe Avins (talk) 19:33, 26 October 2022 (UTC)