The telegram is a modern result of the telegraph (a coinage from Greek meaning "far writer"), one of the first devices used to reliably send messages over large distances. The telegram went through many changes in its life, finally becoming a novelty item rather than a communication essential.
First Telegraph
In the late 1700s, Claude Chappe used an elaborate system that relied on a large board painted black on one side and white on the other. By flipping the sides in time to a clock, someone with a synchronized clock and a telescope could receive a message up to 10 miles away. This setup coined the term "telegraph."
Chappe's Improvement
After his device was destroyed, Chappe improved the old design by switching the board for a mechanical, movable beam. The beam could be set up in any number of positions to represent numbers, letters and predetermined phrases.
Morse Code
Samuel Morse developed a system that transmitted long and short bursts of electrical current. The bursts were transmitted over wire to a small device, which played them as long or short sounds ("dots and dashes"). An operator would interpret the sounds as letters and transfer them to a sheet.
Western Union
The modern-day "wire transfer" company, Western Union, began in 1851 as a national telegraph company.
Teletypewriter
Until 1914, a highly skilled operator had to be available for all telegrams. Then came teletypewriters that were capable of automatically interpreting and printing the message. Subsequent technological advancements made it possible for more than one message to come through a line at once.
Decline
Once telephones and long-distance calling became inexpensive and available in most American homes, telegrams began to decline in popularity. Telegrams continued to be used for exciting, unusual or special events. Many companies continue to offer "singing telegrams" and standard telegrams can still be sent through Western Union.
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