telegraph

first telegraph invented

1794

The first telegraph was an optical device invented in 1794 by Claude Chappe, a Frenchman

first working telegraph

1816

The first working telegraph was built by the English inventor Francis Ronald's in 1816

the last time the telegraph was used

Period: May 24, 1830 to Jul 14, 2013

the telegraph was last used in the 20th century

Samuel Morse patent his telegraph

1837

Samuel Morse patented his electric telegraph, marking a significant advancement in communication technology by allowing messages to be transmitted over long distances using electrical signals.

Cooke and Wheatstone patented telegraph

1837

Cooke and Wheatstone patented a telegraph system that used a number of needles on a board that could be moved to point to letters of the alphabet.

congress approves funding

1843

congress approves funding for Washington to Baltimore line

first telegraph message

May 24, 1844

First message "What hath God wrought?" sent

formation of Western Union

1851

Formation of the Western Union

first transatlantic

1858

First transatlantic cable laid

first transcontinental line completed

1861

First transcontinental telegraph line completed

more reliable transatlantic

1866

A more reliable transatlantic cable is laid, solidifying transatlantic communication