The Telegraph

Scientists began to understand how electricity could create magnetic fields, and how magnets could create electricity. They discovered that electricity moved very rapidly across metal wires, and they realized this could potentially be used to transmit information, ultimately over long distances. Samuel Morse got a patent on the telegraph. Society could now learn in nearly real time about election results, world events and news flashes. Army generals could learn about and command their remote troop movements.  Many understood they could start building businesses around transmitting information.

Key Takeaways:

• Electricity can produce magnetism and magnetism can produce electricity.
• Electricity can move information over wires very quickly, resulting in development of the telegraph.
• The first industries built around the movement of information using electricity sprang into being.