Telegraph : First Wired Long Distance Communications Tool

This article will discuss about the Telegraph and the work of a telegraph. Who would've never heard the word 'Telegraph', yes it is a tool for a long-distance communication that first created in the world and became a breakthrough for communication tools that we use today. First prototype of the telegraph tested and introduced by Carl Gauss and Wilhelm Weber in the 1830s, but this technology still could not be launched until Samuel Morse perfected it at the end of 1830. It did not take long to make the cities and countries were linked by telegraph wires. The job of a telegraphers looked very glamorous and exciting for young men at that time, one of which was famous named Tom Edison.

Then How a telegraph can send message?
Telegraph is designed to transmit electricity and turn it into electromagnet. There are three parts in the telegraph instrument.
- a key, to send the message
- a sounder, to receive the message
- a source of electric energy: dry cells
The key is a simply push-button switch design for high speed use, and control the flow of electric current. The knobs on the key can be adjusted so that a small movement of the key controls the flow of current precisely.

 

This is how :

Push down the key and the contact point will be touched, electrons will flow through the key from the dry cells to the sounder. The electric current goes through the two coils of wire on the sounder and back to the dry cells. The coils become electromagnets and attract the iron cross piece, which attached to the sounder bar. The sounder bar will be pulled down quickly, hits the frame under it and makes a loud 'click' sound.
To send a message you need a code, most telegraphers use International Morse Code. The letters are represented by combination of dot(.) and dash (-). To send a 'dot', press the key and let go immediately. To send a 'dash' press the key and hold for about the time to say "dash". A dot is a short interval, and a dash is a longer interval.

Now you know how a telegraph works. In the next article I will try to describe how to make a model of telegraph. If you could build them, try to use this International Morse code, like the picture below, to send your message.

I hope that reading the above information was both enjoyable and educational for you. Your learning process should be ongoing--the more you understand about any subject, the more you will be able to share with others.