Morse Code and the Information Age Morse code, invented by Samuel F. B. Morse in the 1830s, is a method of transmitting textual information as a series of on-off tones, lights, or clicks that can be directly understood by a skilled listener or observer without special equipment. The International Morse Code encodes the Roman alphabet, the Arabic numerals and a small set of punctuation and procedural signals. The original telegraph system had an apparatus on the receiving end that spat out a string of paper with indentations on it. Short indentations were called “dots” or “dits,” and the longer ones “dashes” or “dahs.” Because many non-English natural languages use more than the 26 Roman letters, extensions to the Morse alphabet exist for those languages. Morse code has been in use for more than 160 years—longer than any other electrical coding system. What is called Morse code today is actually somewhat different from what was originally developed. The Modern International Morse code, or continental code, was created by Friedrich Clemens Gerke in 1848 and initially used for telegraphy between Hamburg and Cuxhaven in Germany. Gerke changed nearly half of the alphabet and all of the numerals resulting substantially in the modern form of the code. After some minor changes, International Morse Code was standardized at the International Telegraphy Congress in 1865 in Paris, and was later made the standard by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). Samuel Morse's original code specification, largely limited to use in the United States and Canada, became known as American Morse code or railroad code. Aviation In aviation, instrument pilots use radio navigation aids. To ensure that the stations the pilots are using are serviceable, the stations all transmit a short set of identification letters (usually a two-to-five-letter version of the station name) in Morse code. Station identification letters are shown on air navigation charts. For example, Manchester Airport in England is abbreviated as "MCT", and MCT in Morse code is transmitted on its radio frequency. In some countries, if a station begins malfunctioning it broadcasts "TST" (for "TEST"), which tells pilots and navigators that the station is unreliable. In Canada, the identification is removed entirely to signify the navigation aid is not to be used. Radio The original radio operators used Morse code exclusively, since voice-capable radio transmitters did not become commonly available until around 1920. They use a paddle, when pressed to the right by the thumb, it generates a series of dits, the length and timing of which are controlled by a sliding weight toward the rear of the unit. When pressed to the left by the knuckle of the index finger, the paddle generates a single dah, the length of which is controlled by the operator. Multiple dahs require multiple presses. Left-handed operators use a key built as a mirror image of this one. The Navy Radio navigation aids were used for aeronautical broadcasts identify information in the form of Morse Code. Warships, including those of the U.S. Navy, have long used signal lamps to exchange messages in Morse code. Modern use continues, in part, as a way to communicate while maintaining radio silence. Submarine periscopes include a signal lamp. Globally International Morse code today is most popular among amateur radio operators, where it is used as the pattern to key a transmitter on and off in the radio communications mode commonly referred to as "continuous wave" or "CW" to distinguish it from spark transmissions, not because the transmission was continuous. Other keying methods are available in radio telegraphy, such as frequency shift keying. Morse Code as an Assistive Technology Morse code has been employed as an assistive technology, helping people with a variety of disabilities to communicate. Morse code can be sent by persons with severe motion disabilities, as long as they have some minimal motor control. Morse code can be translated by computer and used in a speaking communication aid. An important advantage of Morse code over row column scanning is that, once learned, it does not require looking at a display. Also, it appears faster than scanning. People with severe motion disabilities in addition to sensory disabilities (e.g. people who are also deaf or blind) can receive Morse code through a skin buzzer. Keywords The relatively limited speed at which Morse code can be sent led to the development of an extensive number of abbreviations to speed communication. Perhaps the most famous word in Morse Code is SOS. It was chosen as the international Morse code distress signal, because the three dots for S and the three dashes for O make a clear and distinct signal. Before SOS became the standard radio distress signal, there were others. CQ, interpreted as “seek you,” meaning I'd like to converse with anyone who can hear my signal, was a general call to any station. D was internationally recognized in telegraph cable traffic to precede urgent messages, thus CQD (-.-. --.- -..) meant “urgent message to any station.” OM (old man), YL (young lady) and XYL ("ex-YL" — wife) are also common abbreviations. YL or OM are used by operators when referring to the other operator, XYL or OM are used by operators when referring to his or her spouse. QTH is "location," "my QTH" is "my location." The use of abbreviations for common terms permits conversation even when the operators speak different languages. At the First Congress of Wireless Telegraphy in 1903, the Italians suggested SSSDDD (... ... ... -.. -.. -..) to combine the distinct three dots of the S with the urgency of the D. German radio operators used SOE (... --- .) but quickly realized that the single dot of the E could get easily lost in the static noise. For that reason they had already shifted to SOS by the time of its adoption at the International Radio Telegraphic Convention of 1906. The United States did not adopt SOS until after the Titanic disaster in 1912. A handful Nokia engineers used morse code as their standard alert tone when short message service (SMS) messages were received, of course the morse code reads SMS.This was implemented by them circa 1985. In 1995, the United States Coast Guard ended the use of Morse Code transmissions in its maritime communications service, signalling the end of an era in the history of communications. How is Morse Code Used Today? Communication today relies upon satellites, a complex grid and advanced technology to speed messages rapidly World-wide. The internet has increased information flow and ease of contact in almost unimaginable ways. However, old technology has a way of creeping back, since it is simple, relatively inexpensive and does not depend on the fragile grid systems of modern technology. Morse code operators stand ready to help in dire emergencies, grid failures, or war! Amateur radio operators use Morse code extensively for contests, during which rapid connections are imperative. Morse code only requires a small footprint and therefore is readable when pileups occur on radio bands. The larger the amount of data to be transferred, the larger the amount of bandwidth required. Radios can be constructed cheaply without modulation and run much less power than with more sophisticated equipment. Navigation beacons help airline pilots find and maintain proper headings even today. Flashing light Morse code even from a flashlight may be read several miles away for a lost sailor or hunter. Countless snowstorm rescues have been recorded by stranded drivers flashing an SOS signal on a flashing light. Mirrors accomplish the same thing during the day. The user directs a mirrored sun reflection and then blocks it with his other hand or piece of cardboard flashing out the Morse code signal. Medical uses allow the severely handicapped person to tap or blink out a message that can now be ready by computers, giving new hope and meaning to life for sufferers. A new method for using Morse code involves cell phones and text messages entered from an iambic keyer on the cell phone face. It seems that experienced Morse code operators can enter the text much faster than a QUERTY keyboard operator and can do it without looking at the keyboard. Who knows how brilliant minds will conceive of ways to use this simple technology in the future. In the mean time, knowing code might just allow you to survive, especially in times of catastrophe or national emergency. Timeline 1836 Samuel Morse invents electric telegraph able to send messages up to 500 yards! 1842 Morse builds circuit between Washington DC and Baltimore, 38 miles long but few interested 1844 Morse sends “What God hath wrought” to Capitol 1845 Forms the “Magnetic Telegraph Company” 1847 Received patent for electric telegraph 1847 Patent contested; built telegraph in Europe instead. Paid $80,000; Netherlands to Turkey. 1851 New York Telegraph Co. formed; lines from New York City to Boston & St. Louis. 1851 Western Union formed, based on Morse's success in Europe 1852 Dozens of other local companies formed but very limited due to no “long lines.” 1853 Invention upheld by U.S. Supreme Court. 1854 Samuel Morse returns to United States. 1856 New York Telegraph Co. buys up most of the local companies; renamed Western Union. 1861 Western Union completes lines from Omaha to Sacramento – coast-to-coast. 1861 Telegraph/Western Union become huge assets to Union Army during Civil War. 1865 Western Union enters agreement with the railroads to share lines. 1869 Transcontinental Railroad completed. 1872 Samuel Morse dies, at the age of 80 years old. 1940s Morse code replaced by teletype for most news services and messaging, except maritime. 1970s Morse code eliminated by the railroads.