The Telegraph: Connecting a Changing World — Reading Comprehension

The telegraph was a new invention that changed the world during the Progressive Era. Before the telegraph, messages traveled slowly. People used horses, trains, or ships to send letters. Sometimes it took weeks for news to travel across the country.

In 1837, Samuel Morse, an American inventor, worked on a way to send messages using electricity. He made a special code called Morse Code. Each letter had its own set of dots and dashes. With this code, people could send words over long wires. Samuel Morse once said, "What hath God wrought?" This was the first message sent by telegraph in 1844.

The first telegraph line ran from Washington, D.C. to Baltimore, Maryland. The message traveled almost instantly. People were amazed. Soon, more wires were built across the United States. By the 1860s, telegraph wires crossed the country. The telegraph made it possible to share important news right away.

The telegraph helped businesses grow. It made trading faster and safer. People could order goods from far away. Newspapers used the telegraph to report news quickly. During the Civil War, leaders used the telegraph to send battle plans and updates. This helped the Union army work together and win battles.

As more people used the telegraph, the world felt smaller. Families could stay in touch even when they lived far apart. The telegraph also helped inventors think about new ways to connect people. Later, the telephone and radio were invented. These new tools built on the ideas of the telegraph.

Today, we use cell phones and computers to send messages. The telegraph was the first step toward our modern world. The work of Samuel Morse and others shows how new ideas can bring people together and solve big problems.

Interesting Fact: The word "telegram" comes from the telegraph. It means a written message sent by telegraph.

Who invented the telegraph?

What was the first telegraph message?

What did the telegraph use to send messages?

Why was the telegraph important for businesses?

How did the telegraph help the Union army?

What new inventions followed the telegraph?

The telegraph was invented after the telephone. True or false?

What does 'telegram' mean?