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Chappe and optical telegraphy, 1890s
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Chappe and optical telegraphy, 1890s
Chappe and optical telegraphy. 19th-century artwork of a statue of the French engineer Claude Chappe (1763-1805), inventor of mechanical-optical telegraphy. His invention is seen behind him. Chappe established a chain of 22 tower stations spanning the 193-kilometre stretch from Paris to Lille. Messages were transmitted between the stations using semaphore arms. A message could be sent between the two cities in under 6 minutes, rather than taking 30 hours by courier on horseback. Artwork from the 12th volume (second period of 1893) of the French popular science weekly La Science Illustree
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Media ID 9200823
© SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
1890s 1893 Annual Volume Communication Communications Engineer France French Inventor La Science Illustree Louis Figuier Magazine Memorial Monument Popular Science Statue Telecommunication Telecommunications Telephony Weekly Claude Chappe Semaphore
EDITORS COMMENTS
This print showcases a remarkable piece of history - the genius invention of mechanical-optical telegraphy by French engineer Claude Chappe. The artwork depicts a statue of Chappe himself, standing proudly with his groundbreaking creation in the background. During the 19th century, Chappe revolutionized communication by establishing a chain of 22 tower stations spanning over 193 kilometers from Paris to Lille. These stations utilized semaphore arms to transmit messages between each other at an astonishing speed. In just under six minutes, information could travel between these two cities, eliminating the need for arduous courier journeys on horseback that would take up to 30 hours. The significance of this technological advancement cannot be overstated. It not only transformed communication within France but also had far-reaching implications for global telecommunications development. This monochrome illustration is taken from La Science Illustree, a popular science weekly published in France during that period. As we admire this artwork and reflect on its historical context, let us pay tribute to Claude Chappe's ingenuity and foresight as he paved the way for future advancements in telephony and telecommunications technology. His legacy lives on through this stunning depiction captured by Louis Figuier in 1893 - a testament to human innovation and progress throughout the ages.
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