Communication

The Early History of Communication

3500 BCE

Humans have communicated with one another in some shape or form ever since time immemorial. Dated to 3500 BC, the stone features proto- cuneiform signs, basically rudimentary symbols that convey meaning through its pictorial resemblance to a physical object.

The Kish Tablet

3500 BCE

Discovered in the ancient Sumerian city of Kish, has inscriptions considered by some experts to be the oldest form of known writing.

Johannes Gutenberg and the Printing Press

Oct 19, 1436

Johannes Gutenberg invented the printing press with replaceable/moveable wooden or metal letters in 1436 (completed by 1440).

The History of the Electric Telegraph and Telegraphy

Oct 19, 1794

The non-electric telegraph was invented by Claude Chappe in 1794.

Telegraph Systems Emerge Based on the Electromagnet

Oct 20, 1830

In 1830, an American, Joseph Henry (1797-1878), demonstrated the potential of William Sturgeon's electromagnet for long distance communication by sending an electronic current over one mile of wire to activate an electromagnet which caused a bell to strike.

Samuel Morse

Oct 20, 1835

While a professor of arts and design at New York University in 1835, Samuel Morse proved that signals could be transmitted by wire. He used pulses of current to deflect an electromagnet, which moved a marker to produce written codes on a strip of paper - the invention of Morse Code.

Gutenberg Press

Oct 19, 2000

The Gutenberg press with its wooden and later metal movable type printing brought down the price of printed materials and made such materials available for the masses.