The Evolution of Communication ebook The history of communication has changed rapidly since the dawn of time. From sending smoke signals to instantly having the ability to seek help, communicate with others, and find information, changes in communication have shaped today’s way of living. Pigeon Post In the 5th century BCE, pigeon post was an actual Without progressions in communication, mankind method to use when sending documents, letters, and could still be using carrier pigeons and other basic other important information to another town or nearby tools to get help. Understanding the history of city. Pigeon post used pigeons to help deliver mail— communication through a timeline is essential a far cry from the mail carriers we have today. to grasp just how far we have come as a species. Whether or not you are an expert with today’s To utilize pigeon post, individuals would take methods of communicating and getting in touch, pigeons away from their homes or original nests understanding our past and history is a must when to a destination that required them. Using the moving forward with future innovations, science, pigeons homing abilities, an individual was capable and technology. of sending messages and letters back and forth, as the pigeon always returned to its original nest once the letter or document had been attached. Using Fires, Smoke Signals, and Horns pigeons helped to relieve the use of messengers in (Prehistoric Times) this time to help with delivering messages and must- read documents accurately and in a timely manner. Some of the most common methods of communicating in prehistoric times included using fires, smoke signals, and even horns to capture the attention of others. Hydraulic and Maritime Semaphores Using fires and smoke helped individuals to share their locations and to seek out assistance when they were Hydraulic and maritime semaphores were available in in trouble or looking to be found. Horns were used to the 4th and 15th century. Semaphore tools included help communicate times and important events that the use of containers filled with water, a floating rod, took place within growing communities and tribes. and various codes or symbols. In order to make contact Using smoke signals was also helpful to track when with another using the semaphore, an individual groups were moving from one location to another, would drain the water from the chosen semaphore since they did not have the luxury of maps or the to a certain height—leaving a coded message based ability to search a location within minutes with on the height of the water. Semaphores were most technology like we have today. popular in Greek history and are no longer of any use in today’s world. Signal Lamps Telephone Signal lamps began the move towards using By 1876, the official telephone was available to use technology when communicating. Signal lamps, for individuals interested in contacting others from which were available around 1867, helped to the comfort of their own homes or offices, depending communicate with individuals through the use of on their financial situations. The first telephone light or secret code, often known as Morse Code. invention is debatable, as many inventions from Using Morse Code with signal lamps was a method the 1840s-1870s are often classified as telephone of communicating with other towns, cities, and even communication devices. However, 1876 is when water vessels out in the open sea. A signal lamp was Alexander Graham Bell patented the telephone. often only beneficial if those who were receiving the signals were capable of deciphering them on their own. Without an understanding of Morse Code, Acoustic Phonographs signal lamps would be highly ineffective for the The acoustic phonograph was developed and used in general public. Today, signal lamps are still used for 1877 by Thomas Edison, leading the path towards more military and defense purposes with soldiers on land electrical means of communication. The acoustic and overseas. phonograph was one of the most influential tools developed and released to assist in the move forward Newspapers with electrical means of telegraph communication. Sound vibrations waveforms were used to help in Newspapers have always been a method of transferring sound and communicating to another communicating, although it is not meant for direct line or phonograph. Using an acoustic phonograph communication from one individual to another. was possible when communicating with others who Newspapers were often published for small towns also had a phonograph and were capable of receiving and cities in the late 1800s, but became one of the messages sent. largest trends in the 1900s for other countries and the United States itself. Even today, newspapers are still useful and many prefer to read newspapers in-hand Wireless Telegraphy rather than online or with the use of a mobile phone. In 1893, Nikolas Tesla helped to form the use of wireless telegraphy with the use of “wireless lightning,” TransAtlantic Telegraph a theory he discussed openly. He also concluded that the produced radio waves were being transmitted—and Since 1838, electrical telegraph communication had the ability to be transmitted—because the waves became popular, and in 1858, the very first trans- were not simply just repeating audio and information. Atlantic telegraph cable was up and running. Having the ability to communicate from America to Europe was possible on August 16, 1858, when the first message was sent. It read: “Europe and America are united by telegraphy. Glory to God in the highest; on Earth, peace and good will toward men.” After the development of the trans-Atlantic telegraph, it became much easier to maintain contact with other countries while working towards more methods of communication for the general public. Transcontinental Telephone Calling Having the ability to call another individual overseas was practically unheard of for individuals prior to 1914. Using transcontinental telephone calling was a major shift in communicating and having the ability to stay in touch with loved ones, friends, and acquaintances who were living in another country overseas. Commercial Radio-Telephone Service By 1927, the very first commercial radio-telephone As wireless telegraphy began to take off, a slew of new service within the UK and the US was released. Having inventions and methods of communication arose. the ability to communicate openly with Europe Although wireless telegraphy became extremely revolutionized the way in which we communicated widespread and known by the early 1900s, it would and shared information. By 1934, it was possible be another century before wireless devices entered to communicate with Japan from the US with the our own hands. Without wireless telegraphy and the use of radio-television services in combination with ability to send patterns, sound waves, and video wireless telegraphy. using wireless technology, it is tough to say where our communication methods would be now. Experimental Videophones Experimental videophones were popularized in the early Radio 1920s until the later 1930s, when they were actually The radio was officially available in approximately 1896, developed and released. In 1930, more experimental although there is a long history of radio communications videophones began to arrive, although they were without and methods of transmitting signals that also date back success. The very first videophone network to be to the early 1800s. The radio became an American released to the public was in 1936, when individuals sensation by the mid-1900s, causing entire families began having the rare opportunity to see television to sit around each evening to catch up on world and for what it is today. Once the very first network was local news. officially established, it was possible to begin planning shows and creating schedules for news and other video- Although radio is used less today as a two-way mode related broadcasts that had been filmed in the past. of communication, it is still popular among drivers and those who prefer to listen to a book or the news versus reading it. Additionally, there is also satellite radio now Limited Mobile Telephone available for vehicles and the at-home listener that Service for Automobiles provides constant streaming of news, information, 1946 introduced the potential of having telephones in and music without disruptions, advertisements, or automobiles, although this trend did not become more promotions throughout the broadcast. well-known and popular until the late 20th century. Using a telephone within a vehicle with the use of limited mobile telephone service is still used today, but mostly in rural areas and towns without as much technology progression of vehicles and communication. Trans-Atlantic Telephone Cable By 1956, the first trans-Atlantic telephone cable was completed between the US and the UK. The telephone cable itself is used underwater to help connect the countries. Using trans-Atlantic cable is still known today, as there are thousands of underwater cables to date that allow networks to stay in touch with one another while ensuring that communications with different nations and countries is still possible. However, this communication is becoming more wireless with time. Fiber Optical Telecommunications Television As 1970 approached, using different materials The first television was completed in 1927, although for communications was all the rage. In 1978, it would be decades before most Americans had fiber optic cables were first installed to create a televisions in their own homes. By the mid-1900s, network system. Having the ability to use fiber most families had their very own black and white optical telecommunications was possible at television set, allowing them to keep up with the this time, allowing for better connections, less latest news or watch “American Bandstand,” one of problems, and an entirely speedier network on the most popular shows of its time. Using television which to communicate.