Words Along the Wire
by Cheri Randolph
Title
Words Along the Wire
Artist
Cheri Randolph
Medium
Photograph - Photograph
Description
In today's world of instant mass-communication, where everyone is totally connected at all times, it is amazing to consider how much things have changed since the invention of the telegraph in 1838 changed the world of communication forever.
An American professor, Samuel F.B. Morse, began experimenting with sending communications via electromagnetic signal in the early 1830s. In 1838 he was able to demonstrate the device by sending a message across two miles of wire in Morristown, New Jersey.
Morse eventually received funds from Congress to install a line for demonstration between Washington, D.C., and Baltimore. After an abortive effort to bury wires, it was decided to hang them from poles, and wire was strung between the two cities.
On May 24, 1844, Morse, stationed in the Supreme Court chambers, which were then in the US Capitol, sent a message to his assistant Alfred Vail in Baltimore. The famous first message: “What hath God wrought.”
The practical importance of the telegraph was obvious, and in 1846 a new business, the Associated Press, began using the rapidly spreading telegraph lines to send dispatches to newspaper offices. Election results were gathered via telegraph by the AP for the first time for the 1848 presidential election, won by Zachary Taylor.
In the following year AP workers stationed in Halifax, Nova Scotia, begin intercepting news arriving on boats from Europe and telegraphing it to New York, where it could appear in print days before the boats reached New York harbor.
By the time Abraham Lincoln became president the telegraph had become an accepted part of American life. Lincoln's first State of the Union message was transmitted over the telegraph wires, as the New York Times reported on December 4, 1861:
The message of President Lincoln was telegraphed yesterday to all parts of the loyal states. The message contained 7, 578 words, and was all received in this city in one hour and 32 minutes, a feat of telegraphing unparalleled in the Old or New World.
Lincoln's own fascination with the technology led him to spend many hours during the Civil War in the telegraph room of the War Department building near the White House. The young men who manned the telegraph equipment later recalled him sometimes staying overnight, awaiting messages from his military commanders.
The president would generally write his messages in longhand, and telegraph operators would relay them, in military cipher, to the front. Some of Lincoln's messages are examples of emphatic brevity, such as when he advised General Ulysses S. Grant, at City Point, Virginia in August 1864: “Hold on with a bulldog grip, and chew and choke as much as possible. A. Lincoln.”
This photograph was taken at the train station in Kelso, California
Uploaded
February 3rd, 2012
Statistics
Viewed 187 Times - Last Visitor from Cambridge, MA on 04/25/2024 at 2:26 AM
Embed
Share
Sales Sheet
Comments (19)
Cheri Randolph
Heidi, Thanks so much for featuring "Words Along the Wire" in your group, Photography - Getting The Light just Right.
Cheri Randolph
Andy, Thanks for your compliment! This is one of my personal favorites. The colors on the scene were all naturally a sepia tone, not added in processing, I think that contributed to the overall nostalgia of the work. Appreciate your vote on this one!
Andy Prendy
Hi Cheri - just wanted to add my appreciation. This has a lovely atmosphere created by the way you've handled the lighting and the serenity of the colours. Nice work. (V)
Cheri Randolph
Catherine, Thanks so much for selecting this one! I am honored by your choice, and appreciate your generous support!
Catherine Howard
Hi Cheri.. this image appeals to me on so many levels... great job! The description was also a fascinating read... thanks. V/F and my pick today as favourite in Female Artists-Creative Women..
Cheri Randolph
Jose, I appreciate your feature of "Words Along the Wire" in the group Stop Time With Art.
Marcia Weller-Wenbert
Great shot, lighting, shadows and composition. Interesting description as well. v
Randy Rosenberger
Cheri, and awesome capture and display of this historic piece of history! Very well done! fave and vote
Sonali Gangane
Goes very well with Office!Great image!V/F
Cheri Randolph replied:
Sonali, thanks for your comment and V/F. It would be a nice addition to an office setting.
Cheri Randolph
William, I am complimented that you listed this one as one of your favorites! Hope to see you back with your usual wit and good humor soon! Take care, Cheri
Cheri Randolph
Sandra, I really appreciate your feature of "Words Along the Wire" in the Memories and Nostalgia Group!