The invention of the telegraph by Cooke and Wheatstone
Michael Mosley, Cassie Newland and Mark Miodownik from the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ series 'The Genius of Invention' describe the scientific achievements of Hans Christian Oerste, William Cook and Charles Wheatstone. Prior to their inventions all communication was by line of sight (smoke signals, flags etc.).
In 1821 Hans Christian Oerste observed that a battery connected to wire moved a compass needle. This was the beginning of the birth of electromagnetism. From this came the invention of the electric telegraph by Cook and Wheatstone. In 1845 the telegraph shot to fame when John Tawell was caught after he murdered his mistress Sarah Hart. Police sent a telegraph and arrested him.
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