Visual telegraph system, 1791
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Visual telegraph system, 1791
Visual telegraph system. Coloured artwork of the demonstration, in 1791, of the Synchronised System by the French inventors, the brothers Chappe. This was an early telegraph, a system to send messages quickly over long distances. On 2 March 1791, the brothers transmitted a message from Brulon (about 16 kilometres away, centre left) to an identical set-up at Parce (foreground). A system of pendulum weights rotated a pointer on a clock face at each location. Flipping a large black and white card synchronised the pointers and indicated when the pointer moved over the symbol to be transmitted. A group of officials watched the demonstration. From La Telegraphie Historique (Alexis Belloc, 1888)
Science Photo Library features Science and Medical images including photos and illustrations
Media ID 6441633
© SHEILA TERRY/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
1700s 1888 18th Century Alexis Belloc Child Children Clock Clocks Communicating Communication Communications Crowd Demonstrating Demonstration Drawing Early Engineer Engineering Experiment Experimental False Colour France French Government Humans Invention Inventor La Telegraphie Historique March Officials Optical Pendulum Pioneer Revolution Signalling Telecommunication Telecommunications Telegraph Telegraphy Testing Transmitting Visual Women 1791 Chappe False Coloured
EDITORS COMMENTS
This print captures a significant moment in the history of communication technology. In 1791, the pioneering French inventors, the brothers Chappe, demonstrated their revolutionary Visual Telegraph System to a group of officials. This early telegraph system aimed to transmit messages quickly over long distances. The artwork showcases an intricate setup with two identical systems located in Brulon and Parce. A system of pendulum weights rotates a pointer on a clock face at each location. The synchronization between these pointers is achieved by flipping a large black and white card, indicating when the pointer moves over the symbol to be transmitted. In this historical scene, we witness men and women eagerly observing this groundbreaking experiment unfold before them. The atmosphere is filled with anticipation as they witness one of humanity's earliest attempts at long-distance communication. This illustration from Alexis Belloc's "La Telegraphie Historique" provides us with valuable insight into the technological advancements made during that era. It serves as a testament to human ingenuity and our relentless pursuit of progress. As we gaze upon this false-colored image from centuries past, we are reminded of how far we have come in terms of telecommunications technology. From these humble beginnings sprouted today's sophisticated systems that connect people across continents within seconds.
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