Telegraph and Internet/Computer Similarities
More alike than you may have thought!
Many similarities exist between the telegraph and today's Internet and computers. Messages were sent from one telegraphic apparatus to another just as an e-mail message travels to its destination via mail servers. Social impacts have been similar as each were initially believed to be the answer to world peace with their advanced ways of communicating information and breaking down distance barriers. Both entailed the use of code either through the telegraph's various forms (Morse being the most prevalant) and the computers binary system. Both forms also had or have to deal with secret codes and security issues. Telegraph jargon consisted of words like plugs and boomers while the Internet uses surfers and netizens. Both allowed for personal signatures or "sigs" at the end of a message. Romance, as you may have already read, existed on the telegraph just as today we have on-line chat rooms, weddings and even divorces. Both experienced a great deal of initial skepticism. It seems as with any new technology, both negative and positive aspects will, no doubt, come to light.
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