Morse Code

The Postal - Telecommunications Historical Society of Queensland. MUSEUM. The largest collection Telecommunication Memorabilia...

Morse Code

The Electric Telegraph was invented by David Alter in 1836. This device was further developed and patented by Samuel Morse in 1837. Many inventors were actively developing various electro telegraph systems during this period. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrical_telegraph. Samuel Morse's electrical telegraph system was capable of transmitting messages over wire. However it was Henry Clay who invented powerful electro-magnets for use with Morse's system to enable transmissions to exceed a distance of 40 feet. Morse's device was first successfully tested on Jan 6th 1838. His first telegram using his device was sent by himself on May 24 1844. The message read "What hath God wrought?"

Click on thumbnail for larger image

The first telegraphs came in the form of optical telegraphs including the use of smoke signals and beacons which have existed since ancient times. A semaphore network invented by Claude Chappe operated in France from 1792-1846. The last (Swedish) commercial semaphore link ceased operation in 1880.
Semaphores were able to convey information more precisely than smoke signals and beacons and consumed no fuel. Messages could be sent at much greater speed than horse riders. However, like beacons and smoke signals, they were dependent on good weather to work. They required operators and towers every 30 km (20 mi), and could only accommodate about two words per minute. This was useful to governments, but too expensive for most commercial uses other than commodity price information. Electric Telegraphs were to reduce the cost of sending a message thirty fold as compared to semaphore.

Brisbane to Sydney 6/- (60c) for 1st 10 words + 4d (3c) per extra word
Brisbane to Melbourne 9/- (90c) for 1st 10 words + 6d (5c) per extra word
Brisbane to Sth Australia 12/- ($1:20) for 1st ten words + 8d (7c) per extra word

               STATISTICS FOR YEAR ENDING 1891
                     Messages handled…………. 1,189,355
                     Revenue…………………… ₤93,222
                     Electric Telegraph Offices… 352
                     Miles of Telegraph Lines…. 9,973
                     Miles of Wire………………. 17,622

A morse practice set dated 1912 used to train signalmen in the Australian Army for the first World War.
This example is one of the prize posessions of the museum.

A typical telegraph morse key circa 1940 used extensively in telegraph offices throughout Australia. Made in England.
Amateur radio operators still use these keys today.

This miniature portable key was easily carried in a pocket. Used by telegraph linesmen to test lines back to their depot. Circa 1850.

A telegraph relay used to re-transmit signals from relay stations which spanned the Australian Continent.

An exmple of the popular sounder to receive morse signals. Used in Queensland on morse circuits for more than 130 years. This is an American designed sounder.

A well preserved specimen of the wide range of semi automatic and automatic morse bug keys.
This key uses a horizontal action which helped prevent "RSI", and was considerably faster than the conventional hand key.
From this action was developed the modern iambic key which is extensively used by amateur radio users.

A linesman's miniature key transmitter and receiver, carried in this leather case on the belt and could be operated without removing the set from the pouch. Pictured alongside an Australian 20 cent piece to give perspective.

The largest collection of Telecommunication Memorabilia in Queensland.

To play the Morse signal again, select this Refresh button