📺mass media and society review

key term - Telegraph

Definition

The telegraph is an electrical communication system that transmits messages over long distances using coded signals, most commonly through wires. It revolutionized the way information was shared, significantly impacting communication in society and setting the stage for future advancements in mass media technology.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

  1. The first successful use of the electric telegraph was demonstrated by Samuel Morse in 1844 when he sent the message 'What hath God wrought' from Washington, D.C. to Baltimore.
  2. Telegraphs drastically reduced the time it took to send messages over long distances, changing how businesses operated and enabling quicker decision-making.
  3. The telegraph played a crucial role in news reporting and journalism, as it allowed news to be transmitted quickly across great distances, leading to the rise of wire services.
  4. Telegraph lines were often laid alongside railroads, facilitating communication that supported train schedules and safety operations during the industrial revolution.
  5. By the late 19th century, telegraphy had expanded globally, connecting countries and making it possible for governments, businesses, and individuals to communicate almost instantaneously.

Review Questions

  • How did the invention of the telegraph influence communication methods in society?
    • The invention of the telegraph dramatically transformed communication methods by enabling messages to be sent over long distances in a fraction of the time previously possible. Before its introduction, messages could take days or weeks to travel by mail or courier. With the telegraph, information could be transmitted almost instantaneously, allowing for faster business decisions and more timely news reporting, ultimately leading to a more interconnected society.
  • Analyze the impact of Morse Code on the functionality and effectiveness of the telegraph system.
    • Morse Code was instrumental in enhancing the functionality and effectiveness of the telegraph system as it provided a standardized method for encoding textual information into a series of dots and dashes. This simplicity allowed operators to transmit messages quickly and efficiently over long distances. The widespread adoption of Morse Code also facilitated international communication and helped establish a common language for telegraphic exchanges among different countries.
  • Evaluate how the development of wireless telegraphy marked a significant evolution in mass media communication.
    • The development of wireless telegraphy represented a significant evolution in mass media communication by eliminating the need for physical connections between senders and receivers. This innovation expanded communication capabilities beyond land-based infrastructures, allowing messages to be sent across oceans and remote areas without wires. Wireless telegraphy laid the groundwork for future technologies such as radio and television, further transforming how information was disseminated and consumed on a global scale.