What is Telegraph ?
A telegraph is a communication system in which information is transmitted over a wire through a series of electrical current pulses, usually in the form of Morse code.
In 1836, Samuel F. B. Morse, along with Joseph Henry and Alfred Vail, invented an electrical telegraph system. Before telephones were invented, it could send messages over long distances by using pulses of electricity to signal a machine to make marks on a moving paper tape.
Cons of Telegraph :
- The telegraph key is simply a switch in an electric circuit that turns on an electric current. As the sender taps out a word the switch completes a circuit which allows an electric current to flow around it.
- As with all electric circuits, at least two wires are needed between the sender and the receiver.
- At the receiving end of the circuit the electric current can be used to provide power to an indicator dial or pointer machine (so the operator can watch the message coming in), to an electric 'sounder' or a buzzer (so the operator can hear the message) or to a device printing on paper tape (so the message can be stored and read later).
- Slow transmission speed in 21st century.
- Learning the Morse Code.
- Skilled people are needed to prepare the messages for transmission.
- It is very time consuming.
- Poor quality communication.