What is Telegraphy?
[[File:L-Telegraph1.png|thumb|A telegraph instrument]] [[File:International_Morse_code.png|thumb|Telegraph operators sent and received messages in [[Morse code]]]] With '''telegraphy''' (from the [[Greek language|Greek]] words ''[[wikt:tele-|tele]] (τηλε)'' = far and ''[[wikt:-graphy|graphein]] (γραφειν)'' = write), messages are sent over long distances without any need to physically transport letters. To send messages, a telegraph sends pulses of electricity through [[Wire|wires]] in a special [[code]]. The code includes short and large dots and dashes. Usually, [[amateur radio]] operators use [[Morse code]]. [[File:OptischerTelegraf.jpg|right|200px|thumb|[[Claude Chappe]]'s optical telegraph on the Litermont near Nalbach, [[Germany]]]] ==History== === The first telegraphs === Some of the first telegraphs were made in the late 1700s, but these were hard to use because they had too many wires. Telegrams first became popular in the mid-1800s. In 1844 [[Samuel Morse]] built a single-wire telegraph line from [[Baltimore]] to [[Washington, D.C.]]. This was much easier to use than the earliest telegraphs, which used many wires. Soon there were telegraphs all over the United States. By the end of the nineteenth century, a [[transatlantic telegraph cable]] and other developments linked the world by the end of the century. [[Radio]] telegraphy became widespread in the early 20th century, especially on ships. After the 1930s, long-distance [[telephone]] calls became less expensive than telegrams. Telegrams became less and less popular. Western Union, an American company created for telegrams, sent its last one in 2006.<ref>{{cite web|last=Siegel|first=Robert|date=February 2, 2006|title=Western Union Sends Its Last Telegram : NPR|url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5186113|work=npr.org|accessdate=November 26, 2011}}</ref> === Telegrams === ''See the main article: [[Telegram]]'' In the mid-1800s, people communicated across long distances by writing letters. However, letters could take a long