Morse, Samuel

1995/08/02 Azkune Mendia, Iñaki - Elhuyar Fundazioa | Kaltzada, Pili - Elhuyar Zientziaren Komunikazioa

• Biografiak

(1791-1872)

American inventor and painter who saw the first light in 1791 in the city of Charleston, Massachusetts. His father Jediah Morse was a prestigious geographer who tried to transfer his son to science, but never succeeded. Young Samuel graduated in 1810 from Yale University. In 1812 he went to London to study painting.

He returned to the US and worked on many tasks. He participated in politics in a nationalist party, but did not succeed. He then trained in art and was part of numerous artistic associations. In 1825 he collaborated in the creation of the U.S. Academy of Painting. and was president of it between 1826 and 1845.

In 1832 he returned from Europe to the USA on board. During the trip he met scientists who were talking about Ampére's discoveries and decided to create an electric telegraph. He began working on his own journey with the provisional design of the telegraph network. Yet Mors had no scientific basis to undertake this work and needed the help of many scientists. Henry's idea of the telegraph based on an electromagnet came to mind at that time and tried to channel Morse's idea. In 1837 Mors made his first exhibition and thanks to the grant granted by the US Congress, in 1844 he managed to complete the telegraph network between Baltimore and Washington.

Mors never thanked or accepted Henry's help. Even before the judges, he repeatedly denied that he had had the help of someone to devise his electric telegraph. The companions who offered her help in exchange for kisses, completely condemned Morse's pride, but managed to win the trial. Therefore, we continue to consider Morse as the father of the electric telegraph. He died in New York in 1872.