The Telegraph
The design, operation, and impact of the Morse telegraph is described in the
following four steps.
Step 1: Components
The diagram below shows the main components, or parts, of the
Morse telegraph.
Key Definitions
register: device used to receive and record incoming messages
key: device used to transmit outgoing messages
battery: several electric cells that produce a current by converting
chemical energy into electrical energy; provides the current for
the telegraph
electromagnet: a magnet made up of a metal core that is temporarily
magnetized by an electric current running through a coil that
surrounds it; enables a telegraph to record messages
Step 2: How to Use a Telegraph
Morse Code
To use a telegraph a person must first learn Morse
code. This code assigns dots and dashes to letters
of the alphabet (see chart). The most commonly
used letters have the simplest codes. For example,
the letter “e” is represented by one dot. Less
commonly used letters have more complex codes.
For instance, with American Morse Code, the letter
“x” is a dot, a dash, and two dots.
Copyright © McDougal Littell Inc.
Technical Writing: A Transforming Innovation
1
Sending Messages
A person uses a telegraph to send Morse code messages by pressing a
transmission key. Pressing the key briefly sends a dot and pressing the
key longer sends a dash.
Receiving Messages
A device called a register receives incoming messages and transcribes
them by marking dots and dashes on a strip of paper. The register also
conveys the coded message by making clicking sounds.
Step 3: How a Telegraph Works
Transmission
The Morse telegraph is powered by a battery which sends an electric
current along a wire. At one end of the wire is the transmission key.
When depressed, this key completes the electrical circuit and thereby
sends a dot or dash message along the wire.
Reception
The register contains an electromagnet. When the magnet receives an
electric pulse from the sender, an iron armature is attracted to it. As this
happens, a pencil attached to the end of the armature makes a mark on a
moving strip of paper. In this way, the dots and dashes of a Morse code
message are put on paper. The armature also makes a clicking sound
when it hits the magnet. A person can receive a telegraph message
either by interpreting the clicking sounds or the dots and dashes on the
strip of paper.
Step 4: Conclusion
The telegraph totally transformed communications. Before the telegraph,
long distance messages often took months to be sent. However, with the
telegraph, such messages could be sent in a matter of seconds.
By the late 1800s, the telegraph was used extensively by the military,
government, and businesses. Although the telephone began to be
Copyright © McDougal Littell Inc.
Technical Writing: A Transforming Innovation
2
used in the 1870s, telegrams were still popular for long-distance
communications. In fact, in 1929, over 200 million telegrams were
transmitted.
The telegraph was also the forerunner of other form of electrical
communications, including the telephone, television, fax machines, and
e-mail. These devices eventually replaced the telegraph, which is rarely
used today.
Copyright © McDougal Littell Inc.
Technical Writing: A Transforming Innovation
3
The Telegraph
Organization
A technical document is often divided into steps. For this assignment, try dividing
your topic into four steps. In Step 1, describe the parts of the tool or organization.
In Step 2, discuss the use of the tool or organization and in Step 3 discuss how
it works. In the last step, Step 4, stress the effect of the tool or organization on
American life.
The Telegraph
The design, operation, and impact of the Morse telegraph is described in
the following four steps.
Step 1: Components
The diagram below shows the main components, or parts, of the
Morse telegraph.
Step 1: parts
of the tool or
organization
Key Definitions
register: device used to receive and record incoming messages
key: device used to transmit outgoing messages
battery: several electric cells that produce a current by converting
chemical energy into electrical energy; provides the current for the
telegraph
electromagnet: a magnet made up of a metal core that is temporarily
magnetized by an electric current running through a coil that
surrounds it; enables a telegraph to record messages
Copyright © McDougal Littell Inc.
Technical Writing: A Transforming Innovation
4
The Telegraph (continued)
Step 2: How to Use a Telegraph
Morse Code
To use a telegraph a person must first
Step 2: the
use of the
tool or
organiztion
learn Morse code. This code assigns dots
and dashes to letters of the alphabet (see
chart). The most commonly used letters
have the simplest codes. For example,
the letter “e” is represented by one
dot. Less commonly used letters have
more complex codes. For instance, with
American Morse Code, the letter “x” is a
dot, a dash, and two dots.
Sending Messages
A person uses a telegraph to send Morse code messages by pressing a
transmission key. Pressing the key briefly sends a dot and pressing the
key longer sends a dash.
Receiving Messages
A device called a register receives incoming messages and transcribes
them by marking dots and dashes on a strip of paper. The register also
conveys the coded message by making clicking sounds.
Step 3: How a Telegraph Works
Transmission
The Morse telegraph is powered by a battery which sends an electric
Step 3: how
the tool or
organiztion
works
current along a wire. At one end of the wire is the transmission key.
When depressed, this key completes the electrical circuit and thereby
sends a dot or dash message along the wire.
Reception
The register contains an electromagnet. When the magnet receives
an electric pulse from the sender, an iron armature is attracted to it.
Copyright © McDougal Littell Inc.
Technical Writing: A Transforming Innovation
5
The Telegraph (continued)
As this happens, a pencil attached to the end of the armature makes
a mark on a moving strip of paper. In this way, the dots and dashes of
a Morse code message are put on paper. The armature also makes a
clicking sound when it hits the magnet. A person can receive a telegraph
Step 3: how
the tool or
organiztion
works
message either by interpreting the clicking sounds or the dots and
dashes on the strip of paper.
Step 4: Conclusion
The telegraph totally transformed communications. Before the
telegraph, long distance messages often took months to be sent.
However, with the telegraph, such messages could be sent in a matter
of seconds.
Step 4: the
effect of the
tool or
organiztion
on American
life
By the late 1800s, the telegraph was used extensively by the
military, government, and businesses. Although the telephone began
to be used in the 1870s, telegrams were still popular for long-distance
communications. In fact, in 1929, over 200 million telegrams were
transmitted.
The telegraph was also the forerunner of other form of electrical
communications, including the telephone, television, fax machines, and
e-mail. These devices eventually replaced the telegraph, which is rarely
used today.
Copyright © McDougal Littell Inc.
Technical Writing: A Transforming Innovation
6
The Telegraph (continued)
Headings
Technical documents have a title and are often divided into headings and
subheadings. Doing this identifies the parts of the document and helps people to
find certain sections when needed. What headings and subheadings are you using
for your document?
title
The Telegraph
The design, operation, and impact of the Morse telegraph is described in
the following four steps.
heading
Step 1: Components
The diagram below shows the main components, or parts, of the
Morse telegraph.
subheading
Key Definitions
register: device used to receive and record incoming messages
key: device used to transmit outgoing messages
battery: several electric cells that produce a current by converting
chemical energy into electrical energy; provides the current for the
telegraph
electromagnet: a magnet made up of a metal core that is temporarily
magnetized by an electric current running through a coil that
surrounds it; enables a telegraph to record messages
Copyright © McDougal Littell Inc.
Technical Writing: A Transforming Innovation
7
The Telegraph (continued)
Details
Technical documents use details, such as facts and technical terms, to help describe
a tool or organization. The details of a technical document can often be complicated,
especially for someone not familiar with the subject. Because of this, it is important
to present details in a well-organized and clearly written way.
Step 3: How a Telegraph Works
Transmission
The Morse telegraph is powered by a battery which sends an electric
details
current along a wire. At one end of the wire is the transmission key.
When depressed, this key completes the electrical circuit and thereby
sends a dot or dash message along the wire.
Reception
The register contains an electromagnet. When the magnet receives
details
an electric pulse from the sender, an iron armature is attracted to it.
As this happens, a pencil attached to the end of the armature makes
a mark on a moving strip of paper. In this way, the dots and dashes of
a Morse code message are put on paper. The armature also makes a
clicking sound when it hits the magnet. A person can receive a telegraph
message either by interpreting the clicking sounds or the dots and
dashes on the strip of paper.
Copyright © McDougal Littell Inc.
Technical Writing: A Transforming Innovation
8
The Telegraph (continued)
Graphics
Graphics can help aid the comprehension of technical information. Diagrams, charts,
and graphs are some of the visual aids often found in technical documents. What
graphics are you using for your document?
graphics
graphics
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Technical Writing: A Transforming Innovation
9