Telegraph

A telegraph is an electronic device that transmits and receives messages over long distances using electric signals. It was one of the first devices to allow rapid long-distance communication, preceding the telephone.

The history of the telegraph begins in the early 19th century. Key milestones include:

• 1837: Samuel Morse and Alfred Vail develop the Morse code telegraph system.
• 1844: The first public telegraph line opens between Washington, D.C., and Baltimore.
• 1861: The first transcontinental telegraph line is completed in the United States.
• 1870s: Telegraph technology spreads globally, connecting continents.
• 19th and early 20th centuries: Telegraph companies play a crucial role in commerce and military communications.
• Mid-20th century: The rise of radio and telephone begins to diminish the importance of the telegraph.
• 1960s: Telegraph services are largely replaced by other forms of communication.