Fergie's Tech Blog

2 March 1791: The Semaphore Machine Debuts in Paris

In my recurring "00:01" series -- a pursuit to provide a memory of important things we should not forget in technology -- I give you todays entry...

Via Wikipedia.

The semaphore line, or optical telegraph was a signalling system invented by the Chappe brothers in France. It is different from the naval semaphore system that uses hand-held flags, which was invented later.

The semaphore line preceded the electrical telegraph. It was faster than post-riders for bringing a message over long distances, but far more expensive and less private than the electrical telegraph, which replaced it.

France at the end of the 18th century had a complete system of semaphore lines. During the Revolutionary period, a French inventor, Claude Chappe (1763–1805), convinced the Deputies to set up a huge network between major cities. It was used for military and national communications until the 1850s.

Claude Chappe began development when he and his four brothers lost their livelihoods because of the French Revolution. A crucial innovation was the use of a group of trained, dedicated men to pass the signals.

More here.

posted by Fergie @ 3/01/2006 10:01:00 PM