The Telegraph An electrical telegraph is a telegraph

The Telegraph An electrical telegraph is a telegraph that uses electrical signals, usually conveyed via dedicated telecommunication lines or radio.

ORIGINS The first working telegraph was built by the English inventor Francis Ronalds in 1816 and used static electricity. At his family home. He set up a complete subterranean system in a 175 yard long trench as well as an eight mile long overhead telegraph. The lines were connected at both ends to clocks marked with the letters of the alphabet and electrical impulses sent along the wire were used to transmit messages.

Development and Growth In 1846, Alexander Bain patented a chemical telegraph. The signal moved an iron pen across a moving paper tape soaked in a mixture, decomposing the chemical and producing blue marks in Morse code. The speed of the printing telegraph was 1000 words per minute, but messages still required translation into plaintext by operators. French engineer Émile Baudot patented a printing telegraph in which the signals were translated automatically into characters. Each character was assigned a unique code based on the sequence of five contacts. Operators had to maintain a steady rhythm, and the usual speed was 30 words per minute.

Function and How it works The telegraph is a very early communication device, followed by Radio. It uses a Powersupply, telegraph key, radio transmitter (RT), sounder, antenna (RT) and a solid ground connection When you press down on the telegraph key, an electrical signal runs down the line to the transmitter, then at the other station the sounder goes off. Effectively sending Morse code *(RT) stands for Radio Telegraph

Projected development Well, Morse code is widely used by Amateur radio operators for communications. Other than that, it has been phased out of government use.