Morse Code

You can imagine how much trouble armies had when trying to communicate. They were often miles away from each other and it was extremely difficult to contact each other to warn them about the enemy, or news and changed plans. Around 1832, a code was created that enabled people to communicate over long distances. Now armies could contact each other much easier than before.

Morse coke was invented and developed by Samuel Morse. He patented the first functioning receiver in 1837. A partner of Morse, Alfred Vail, having greater technical abilities, later improved the machine. In 1830, Joseph Henry had made the first long distance telegraph machine. It sent and electric signal over a mile on wire. When the telegraph reached the end of the wire, there was a magnet that caused a bell to ring.

Morse code is a series of "dots and dashes, or "dits and dahs" representing letters and numbers. It is a method of transmitting info by on-off tones, lights, or clicks. A telegraph sends electrical signals over long distances. Because of it can be read without a decoding device and is easily sent, it is one of the simplest methods of telegraphy.

Presently, it is still used, thought it is not as popular. The U.S. Coast Guard stopped using it for their distress signals because of their automatic satellite relays. It is often used on ships and in radio telegraphy; and pilots are still required to know it.

Morse did a great deal to help America as it grew. Eventually , it was modified to the point that it is wireless and is known as the telephone. Perhaps Morse didn't know how much it would impact America. Morse code was once the newest device in electronics. Since then, America has developed tremendously.Do you ever wonder, in fifty years, what will have changed? Will cars be considered as old fashioned as horse-drawn carriages?