Technological Advances in Communication

First American Newspaper

Apr 24, 1704

(Source) Often regarded as the first continuously published American newspaper, The Boston News-Letter issued its first edition on this day.

First Telegraph Message Sent

May 24, 1844

(Source) Samuel Morse sent the first telegraph message from Washington, D.C., to Baltimore. The message read, "What hath God wrought?"

First Telephone Use

Mar 10, 1876

(Source) Alexander G. Bell was experimenting with a prototype design for a telephone when he called to his assistant, "come here, I want to see you." The assistant told Bell that he could hear and understand what he said.

First Transatlantic Radio Transmission

Dec 12, 1901

(Source) Although disputed as atmospheric noise, Guglielmo Marconi is credited with making the first transatlantic radio transmission on this day. Pictured: Marconi's transmitting station.

First Digital Computer

Feb 14, 1946

(Source) ENIAC was a US Military funded computer that boasted speeds of 1000 times that of its predecessors. Its primality is contested by some, namely the creators of the other computer and one Federal Judge. On this day, ENIAC was publically announced.

ARPANET First Used

Oct 29, 1969

(Source) A UCLA programmer attempts to send a message through ARPANET for its first time. He manages to get 'l' and 'o' of "login" before the system crashes. Pictured: the supervising professor.