The Disastrous History of the First Transatlantic Cable - World History - Extra History
Extra History・2 minutes read
The first Transatlantic cable from Britain to North America was successfully laid in 1858, revolutionizing communication despite initial failures and subsequent issues. Cyrus Field's perseverance led to a reliable connection established in 1866, paving the way for further telegraph cables worldwide.
Insights
- The laying of the Transatlantic cable in 1858 marked a groundbreaking achievement in communication history, connecting Britain and North America for the first time, showcasing the power of technological innovation to bridge vast distances and revolutionize global connectivity.
- Despite initial setbacks and failures, Cyrus Westfield's determination and Frederick Newton Gisborne's vision ultimately led to the successful establishment of a reliable Transatlantic telegraph connection in 1866, highlighting the importance of perseverance, commitment, and collaboration in overcoming challenges and realizing ambitious projects with far-reaching impacts.
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Recent questions
What revolutionized communication in the 1830s?
Telegraph
Who envisioned a Transatlantic cable?
Frederick Newton Gisborne
What caused the failure of the first Transatlantic cable?
Signal quality issues
Who ordered 22,000 miles of cable for the Transatlantic project?
Cyrus Westfield
When was the successful second attempt at laying the Transatlantic cable?
1866
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Summary
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"Transatlantic Cable: Triumph and Perseverance"
- A cannon is fired from The Citadel of Cal France using an electric pulse from England, linking the two nations for the first time on November 19th, 1851.
- The arrival of the telegraph in the 1830s revolutionized communication, allowing messages to travel across countries in minutes, leading to the laying of over 30,000 M of telegraph wire across Europe, Britain, and the United States.
- Frederick Newton Gisborne envisioned a Transatlantic cable, leading to the completion of a line from New York to St John's in 1856 at a cost of $1 million.
- Cyrus Westfield, a paper magnate, became obsessed with Gisborne's vision, forming the Atlantic Telegraph Company and ordering 22,000 M of cable from British companies in 1856.
- Despite initial failures, Field's optimism kept the project going, leading to the successful laying of the Transatlantic cable in August 1858, connecting Britain and North America.
- The first official message was sent on August 16th, 1858, marking a significant moment in history with celebrations, parades, and even jewelry made from unused cable pieces.
- The success of the cable was short-lived, with signal quality issues and degradation leading to its failure by October 28th, causing uproar and accusations of fraud.
- Field's perseverance led to a successful second attempt in 1866, establishing a reliable connection between Britain and North America, paving the way for further telegraph cables across the globe.
