The Early History of Data Networks (Perspectives) (Paperback)

by Gerard J. Holzmann (Author), Björn Pehrson (Author) "The communication network that is available to us today allows anyone to talk instantly to almost anyone else on the globe, as long as both..." (more)
Key Phrases: Claude Chappe, Ignace Chappe, Abraham Chappe (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Most of us would consider the emergence of large-scale communication networks to be a 20th century phenomenon. Yet, the first nationwide data networks were built not in this century but almost 200 years ago. Well before the electromagnetic telegraph was invented, many countries in Europe had fully operational data communications systems, with altogether close to 1,000 network stations.

This book gives a fascinating glimpse of the many documented attempts throughout history to develop effective means for long-distance communications. The oldest attempts date back to millennia before Christ, and include ingenious uses of homing pigeons, mirrors, flags, torches, and beacons.

The book then shows how Claude Chappe, a French clergyman, started the information revolution in 1794 with the design and construction of the first true telegraph network in France. Another chapter contains the first complete English translation of a remarkable document on the design of optical telegraphs networks, originally written in 1796 by the Swedish nobleman Abraham Niclas Edelcrantz.

From the Back Cover
Most of us would consider the emergence of large-scale communication networks to be a twentieth-century phenomenon. The first nationwide data networks, however, were built almost two hundred years ago. At the end of the eighteenth century, well before the electromagnetic telegraph was invented, many countries in Europe had fully operational data communications systems, with altogether close to one thousand network stations.

This book gives a fascinating glimpse of the many documented attempts throughout history to develop effective means for long-distance communications. The oldest attempts date back to millennia before Christ, and include ingenious uses of homing pigeons, mirrors, flags, torches, and beacons.

The book then shows how Claude Chappe, a French clergyman, started the information revolution in 1794, with the design and construction of the first true telegraph network in France. Another chapter contains the first English translation of a remarkable document on the design of optical telegraphs networks, originally written in 1796 by the Swedish nobleman Abraham Niclas Edelcrantz.

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Wiley-IEEE Computer Society Pr (November 30, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0818667826
• ISBN-13: 978-0818667824
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,709,787 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Did Napoleon have a data network? (yes he did..!), January 6, 1998

By A Customer

Most of us would consider the emergence of large-scale communication networks to be a twentieth-century phenomenon. The first true nationwide data networks, however, were being built almost two hundred years ago. At the turn of the 18th century, well before the electromagnetic telegraph was invented, many countries in Europe already had fully operational data communications systems, with alltogether close to one thousand network stations. This book documents the many attempts throughout history to develop effective means for long distance communications. The oldest attempts date back to millenia before Christ, and include an ingenious uses of homing pigeons, mirrors, flags, torches, and beacons. The book then shows how Claude Chappe, a French clergyman, started the information revolution in 1794, with the design and construction of the first true telegraph network in France. Included is also the first complete English translation of a remarkable document on the design of optical telegraphs that was written in 1796 by the Swedish nobleman Abraham Niclas Edelcrantz, the builder of the Swedish optical telegraph network.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A real reference book, February 26, 2006

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

Since I am member of Anatolian Sailing Club, I am requested to prepare a training document for communication at sea. I liked to give an historical reference to each communication technique used at sea today, and I purchased this book from Amazon. I noticed that the content is very useful in giving all historical background of telecommunication tools.

I really recommend this book to all readers dealing with the history of telecommunications.