-
Use Cases
-
Resources
-
Pricing
April 27, 1791
% complete
Samuel Finley Breese Morse
1805
% complete
At age 14, Morse hears a lecture on electricity from Benjamin Silliman and Jeremiah Day.
1811 - 1815
% complete
While in England Morse wins a gold medal at a London Exhibition for his painting of the Dying Hercules, receiving critical acclaim.
1817
% complete
Samuel and brother Sidney Morse patent a flexible-piston, man-powered water pump designed for fire engines. though a successful demonstration, it proved to be a commercial failure.
1820
% complete
Hans Christian Oersted discovers that and electric current is capable of generating magnetic fields that can deflect the needle of a compass. This property is eventually used in Morse telegraph designs.
1825
% complete
William Sturgeon creates this key component to the telegraph.
1826
% complete
Morse becomes a founder and the first president of this national art school. His presidency lasts 19 years.
1827
% complete
Professor James Freeman Dana gives a lecture on electricity and electromagnetism at the New York Athenaeun. Morse allows lectures here and through their friendship Morse begins his studies with electricity.
1831
% complete
American scientist Joseph Henry announces his discovery of a powerful electromagnet, which can send signals over long distances, suggesting the idea of telegraphy.
1832
% complete
Morse is appointed professor at the University of the City of New York.
1832
% complete
After discussing the idea of an electromagnet telegraphing system with Dr. Charles T. Jackson, Morse is inspired to begin writing prototypes for an electromagnetic recording telegraph.
Morse also begins devising a system of dots and dashes for his electromagnetic telegraph idea.
1835
% complete
Morse constructs his first recording telegraph built with a moving paper ribbon; he then demonstrates it to close friends.
1835
% complete
at the University of the City of New York
1837
% complete
Throughout 1837 Morse gains partner Dr. Leonard Gale due to his assistance in planning relays for the telegraph system.
Alfred Vail, who is an aquaintance of Morse, becomes a partner thanks to his monetary resources, skill in mechanics, and access to iron works to build the models.
1837
% complete
Charles T. Jackson, a previous acquaintance of Morse, claims to be the inventor of the telegraph. Morse manages to receive witness statements proving that he is the rightful inventor.
This marks the first of a series of legal battles Morse will face.
1838
% complete
During 1838 Morse demonstrates his telegraphy system to a number of high officials. One such official, Congressman Smith, becomes another partner, making efforts to pass a $30,000 telegraph line that would span 50 miles. This attempt is unsuccessful.
1840
% complete
Morse opens his own daguerreotype studio and begins teaching others the daguerreotype photography process.
1840
% complete
Morse receives his patent for his telegraph.
1842 - 1843
% complete
Underwater, Below-ground, and above-ground lines are built for the telegraph system. The below-ground system is the only one to fail.
1846
% complete
With spreading popularity of the telegraph, multiple telegraph companies are growing. This expanding variance of the telegraph threatens Morse's patent claims.
1849
% complete
By 1849, the year of Morse's fourth child's birth, there are an estimated 12,000 miles of telegraph lines expanding across the U.S.
1852 - 1859
% complete
During this time span Congress upholds Morse's telegraph patents. Morse begins receiving payments for telegraph designs used.
The Western Union Telegraph Company is formed by the unity of small telegraph companies.
The first trans-Atlantic telegraph is sent in 1858.Ten European governments award Morse a total $400,000 French francs for his invention.
1852 - 1859
% complete
During this time span Congress upholds Morse's telegraph patents. Morse begins receiving payments for telegraph designs used.
The Western Union Telegraph Company is formed by the unity of small telegraph companies.
The first trans-Atlantic telegraph is sent in 1858.Ten European governments award Morse a total $400,000 French francs for his invention.
1861
% complete
Especially to the civil war, the telegraph becomes essential in long-distance communication.
1872
% complete
Morse dies in New York City at the age of 81. His telegraph systems are still widely applied.