A History of Telegraphy: Its History and Technology (I E E History of Technology Series) [Hardcover]

K. G. Beauchamp (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 15, 2001 | ISBN-10: 0852967926 | ISBN-13: 978-0852967928

This book records the growth of telegraphy over two centuries, depicting the discoveries and ingenuity of the experimenters and engineers involved, the equipment they designed and built, and the organisation, applications and effects on society. The two main phases - cable-based techniques that began in the early 19th Century and then wireless transmission in the 20th - parallel the changes in voice and information communications seen recently. Modern methods of data compaction, coding and encryption in today's communications all have their routes in the techniques of the telegraph pioneers.

Also available:

History of International Broadcasting, Volume 1 - ISBN 9780863413025
Communications: an international history of the formative years - ISBN 9780863413308

The Institution of Engineering and Technology is one of the world's leading professional societies for the engineering and technology community. The IET publishes more than 100 new titles every year; a rich mix of books, journals and magazines with a back catalogue of more than 350 books in 18 different subject areas including:

-Power & Energy
-Renewable Energy
-Radar, Sonar & Navigation
-Electromagnetics
-Electrical Measurement
-History of Technology
-Technology Management

Editorial Reviews

Review

'History of Technology is a valuable reference resource on a variety of topics, directly and indirectly related to telegraphic communications.' -- IEEE History Center Newsletter No. 59

History of Technology is a valuable reference resource on a variety of topics, directly and indirectly related to telegraphic communications. --IEEE History Center Newsletter No. 59

When I first paged through this book, I was startled. I was myself gradually beginning to prepare to write another book after my Classics of Communication. But History of Telegraphy was exactly the book that I had imagined I would write. And then I very soon saw that I would never have reached the level Ken Beauchamp has achieved. So I put my own plans away. --405 Alive, January 2002

When I first paged through this book, I was startled. I was myself gradually beginning to prepare to write another book after my Classics of Communication. But History of Telegraphy was exactly the book that I had imagined I would write. And then I very soon saw that I would never have reached the level Ken Beauchamp has achieved. So I put my own plans away. --405 Alive, January 2002

Product Details

• Hardcover: 408 pages
• Publisher: Institution of Engineering and Technology (June 15, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0852967926
• ISBN-13: 978-0852967928
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.1 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,053,113 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Comprehensive history of telegraphy from a British viewpoint, January 1, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: A History of Telegraphy: Its History and Technology (I E E History of Technology Series) (Hardcover)

This book, number 26 in the Institution of Electrical Engineers' History of Technology series, records the growth of telegraphy over two centuries, depicting the discoveries and ingenuity of the experimenters and engineers involved, the equipment they designed and built, and the organization, applications and effects on society. The two main phases - cable-based techniques that began in the early 19th century and then wireless transmission in the 20th century - parallel the changes in voice and information communications seen recently. Modern methods of data compaction, coding and encryption in today's communications all have their roots in the techniques of the telegraph pioneers. The book provides an excellent overview of telegraphy from the earliest mechanical systems to the beginnings of the Internet.
The history of submarine cables is well-covered in its own chapter of 47 pages; the bibliography in this chapter includes some useful references to more obscure sources. This chapter also includes information on early technology of submarine cables, the discovery of gutta percha insulation, the first cable to cross the English Channel and other short cables, the first oceanic cables, theory and techniques of transmission, Thomson's mirror galvanometer, cable-laying technology, the cables to North America, India, China and Japan, Africa, and Australia. Like the rest of the book, the submarine cable chapter contains many illustrations and diagrams from contemporary publications.
The book gives a comprehensive overview of the history of telegraphy; the extensive bibliographies at the end of each chapter provide ample resources for more detailed research. Recommended.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A comprehensive book, November 9, 2006

By 

Ahmet Oral (Ankara Turkey) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A History of Telegraphy: Its History and Technology (I E E History of Technology Series) (Hardcover)

While I was preparing a paper to Bilisim'06 (Information and telecommunication technology conference - 2006) took place in Ankara, I needed some historical data concerning the first wireless installation in Turkey, and I found this book in the Internet. It is very comprehensive book giving the most important information concerning the deployment of wire and wireless telegraph network in the World as well as the first transmitter in Istanbul installed in 1912. I really recommend this book to the reseachers for history of telecommunications.