In the early 1840s the electrical telegraph was invented. This invention functioned by using coded pulses of electric current through particular wires that would send information long distances. This invention was favorable at the time, because it was one of the first automatic ways to send and receive news across town without having to be present with the other party. Before the invention people of that time would more than likely be use smoke signals, flags as representation of messages, and other visual images to transmit news. There were several different types of electrical telegraphs that were invented, however there were two that were more favorable the Cooke and Wheatstone telegraph, which is a needle telegraph, and an armature system that activate a telegraph sounder that emits a click.  The Morse system was invented by Samuel Morse. With this particular structure a wire would be connected to a sending station. There an operator would hit a switch that was called a telegraph key and it would send out messages in Morse Code. The Cooke and Wheatstone telegraph which was engineered in 1837. This system worked by using five needles to all coordinated and point towards the letter that was being communicated. However, this system didn’t last long because installing more wires was more favorable than training operators to learn it. As a result, a one needle system with a code had became the new system to learn.

Today I was awaiting the arrival of Mr. Lancelot as he promised to court me around the town today. We were supposed to go for a nice long boat ride today at noon escorted by his butler, however the operator sent word this morning that his butler might be needed to help his father. I can only hope his father does not need his assistance, because I feel like he is a man well capable of doing things independently. However, I understand by being a clergy man he can be busy as my father is one as well. Oh, how I wish we could go alone but my parents would have my hide at the thought of my virtue being took from me. So much time has passed that I am afraid that he might have forgotten about me. If only St. Mary could speed time along herself. One would think he could send me another message over via the Morse system. At this rate he might as well send me a letter. My patience is wearing thin at the thought of each excruciating passing second. As a woman I know I should be more patient however, I cannot at this point. I am buzzing the operator to send my own message to gain clarity.

Electrical telegraph. (2020, September 04). Retrieved September 09, 2020, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrical_telegraph