In February 1753, a mysterious letter appeared in the Scots' Magazine describing a simple method of transmitting messages using electricity "An Expeditious Methods of Conveying Intelligence."

At least 60 experimental electric telegraphs are known to have been made in the following 100 years.

In 1816 Francis Ronald used synchronized clocks and electric wire in an experimental devise for transmitting signals. The British Admiralty rejected his proposal to arrange a demonstration.

Samuel Morse "caught the telegraph bug" in 1832 on board of the ship Sully crossing the Atlantic. Teamed up with the professor in chemistry Leonard Gale. Received help from physicist Joseph Henry.

William Forthergill Cooke decided to start building a telegraph after hearing a lecture on the topic in 1836. Teamed up with professor Charles Wheatstone.

Both systems finally took off in 1844.