Before the Telegraph:
Throughout history, societies strived to find ways to transmit messages across distance. Ancient civilizations were resourceful utilizing methods such as fire or smoke signals and drum beats to reach long distances.More recently, the semaphore (sometimes referred to as the optical telegraph) was invented in 1792. Semaphores were in essence towers with two telescopes and adjustable arms operated through a wheel and pulley. The arms positions correlated to letters and numbers which could then be observed through the telescopes and transcribed by operators at other stations to relay messages.
Despite the time passage between ancient civilizations and the creation of the semaphore, there was one fatal flaw with these technological developments. In both instances, the efficiency and timeliness of delivering messages was dependent on whether, and thus unreliable. The telegraph revolutionized long distance communication by providing a way to communicate that was reliable and free from interference.
Overview of the telegraph and its invention:
At the turn of the 19th century, two new crucial technologies were formed that paved the way for the invention of telegraph. The battery, invented by an Italian physicist Alessandro Volta in 1800, allowed electric currents to be stored and manipulated in controlled environments. The next was in 1820 when a Danish physicist Hans Christian Oersted deflected a magnetic needle with an electric to prove the link between electricity and magnetism.These discoveries caused massive excitement in scientific communities, and as such over 62 individuals claim to have developed the first electrical telegraph. Although there are many claims, the electrical telegraphs invention is often attributed to two sets of inventors- William Cooke and Charles Wheatstone, and Samuel Morse, Leonard Gale and Alfred Vail.
Cooke and Wheatstone were a British duo whose telegraph consisted of five magnetic needles which could be controlled through electric currents to point to letters and numbers from a panel. This system was most prevalent in railroad signaling in Britain.
Around the same time, in the United States, Morse paired with Gale and Vail to develop what is traditionally thought of as the “telegraph”. This type of telegraph consists of a single-circuit that when pushed entirely down by the operator key would complete an electric battery circuit, therefore sending an electrical signal across a wire to an awaiting receiver.
In the 1830s, Morse and Vail developed Morse Code to accompany their invention of the telegraph. The code assigned a series of dots and dashes to every letter of the English alphabet that could be understood through electrical signals. Morse Code made communicating complex messages easy with the telegraph. Originally the dots and dashes were marked on a paper to be translated, but soon operators were able to recognize the letters by listening and so the paper system was replaced by a receiver that would produce more pronounced sounds. Morse Code was such an effective tool for communication messages non verbally, that many people still learn and use it to this day.
In the 1830s, Morse and Vail developed Morse Code to accompany their invention of the telegraph. The code assigned a series of dots and dashes to every letter of the English alphabet that could be understood through electrical signals. Morse Code made communicating complex messages easy with the telegraph. Originally the dots and dashes were marked on a paper to be translated, but soon operators were able to recognize the letters by listening and so the paper system was replaced by a receiver that would produce more pronounced sounds. Morse Code was such an effective tool for communication messages non verbally, that many people still learn and use it to this day.
Commercial growth of the telegraph:
Morse is the most frequently associated name with the telegraph and this is not purely because of Morse Code. Morse was the first person to gain political support for his telegraph and business model. He was able to rally the necessary backing when he presented his ideas to the U.S. Congress in 1838.Congress provided financial aid to Morse which allowed him to build a telegraph system stretching from Washington, D.C., to Baltimore in 1843. Shortly after, on May 24, 1844, the first telegraph message was delivered. Soon telegraph networks extended to New York.
Companies noticed the market for telegraph systems and began to open their own operating systems, creating a wider reach of telegraphs. Western Union emerged at the forefront of telegraph communications. In 1861, Western Union built the first transcontinental telegraph, a massive achievement. By 1866, their network expanded approximately 100,00 miles of wires.
Also in 1866, the Atlantic Ocean had its first permanent telegraph cable placed, laying the foundations for the future of global communication. As telegraphs expanded, modifications were made to improve the telegraphs ability to function. Ezra Cornell developed strong wire insulation for telegraphs, while Thomas Edison created the Quadruplex system in 1874. This system made it possible to transmit four messages simultaneously via one wire. When the 1940s arrived, there were 40 telegraph lines laid across the Atlantic.
Also in 1866, the Atlantic Ocean had its first permanent telegraph cable placed, laying the foundations for the future of global communication. As telegraphs expanded, modifications were made to improve the telegraphs ability to function. Ezra Cornell developed strong wire insulation for telegraphs, while Thomas Edison created the Quadruplex system in 1874. This system made it possible to transmit four messages simultaneously via one wire. When the 1940s arrived, there were 40 telegraph lines laid across the Atlantic.
How did the telegraph revolutionized the world:
Telegraphs revolutionized the world of communication, politics, economics, and much more.Long distance communication was a struggle up until this point as it could take days or even weeks to pass along messages over large distances. Telegraphs allowed for near instant communication, with messages from New York to London able to be sent in minutes. However this had its disadvantages too. Faster communication led to increased pressure for individuals, specifically political leaders, to react and respond quickly, which can cause rash decision making. Overall, the benefits outweighed the disadvantages.
The world became more interconnected, there were no longer geographical constraints. Enhanced communication methods led to the easier spread of news. People could now follow national and international news, which facilitated more politically involved members of society. Telegraphs also affected the political world by creating a need for new legislation within the United State. This includes the Mann-Elkins Act of 1910 and the Communications Act of 1934.
Finally, telegraphs had economic impacts as new businesses emerged, such as Western Union, that became prominent stakeholders. Moreover, telegraphs created new jobs which stimulated the economy. These jobs included telegraph operators/receivers and telegram delivery boys. Telegrams were less expensive than long distance calls which contributed to the rapid growth of the industry. Additionally, telegrams revolutionized economics by inventing a system where money could be “wired” over large distances.
After the telegraph:
The telegraph was the first form of instant communication, but it was far from the last. Soon after the invention the telegraph, telephones and radios were developed. These created a new and more effective way to relay information both individually and to mass audiences. This led to the need for a telegraph to fade. In modern society, the telegraph is obsolete, with Western Union ending its telegram service in 2006. Instead communication occurs through newspapers, televisions, the internet and of course radio and phones.
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