Samuel F. B. Morse (1791 – 1872), artist, inventor, politician and professor, is credited with the invention of the telegraph in 1844; at that time, he sent a telegraphic message from the Supreme Court in Washington, D. C., to his assistant in Baltimore, MD. The message, “What hath God wrought?” a Biblical quotation from Numbers 24:23, was sent in the code that Morse devised. Morse Code (International) is still used today by the Military, amateur radio operators, and Boy Scouts. Some traditionalist ham operators still use the original American Morse Code.
Right: Portrait of Samuel F. B. Morse by Mathew Brady
While Morse had a tendency towards eccentricity and had some heretical religious views, there is one “Morse Code” which no American should ever forget:
“If you beat your sword into a plowshare, you will probably end up plowing for someone who kept their sword.” — Samuel F.B. Morse