The world lost a legend, Samuel Morse, on 2^nd April 1872.

We are blessed with the technology we now have in our hands. Today, we have many versions of communicating whether it may be skyping, chatting through WhatsApp or having an account on Facebook. We are so blessed that we do not stop and think what if I was born in the 1800s how would I communicate back then. Having this problem in his mind, an individual named Samuel Morse presented the idea of a new source of communication.

The source of communication presented by Samuel Morse was the invention of Morse code by the use of an electric telegraph. Samuel Finley Breese Morse was born on April 27, 1791, in Charlestown, Massachusetts, US. He graduated from Yale College in 1810 studying Philosophy, Science, and Mathematics. His interest peaked when he attended certain lectures on electricity. But his heart was devoted to Painting. He attended the Royal Academy of Arts to pursue his dreams. This platform enabled him to study under renowned educators such as Washington Allston. His style of painting was a combination of technical competence and a bold rendering of his subject’s character.

One of his prodigious quality was that he was a dexterous leader. He led a campaign against the extravagance of the theatre in 1827 which later was launched in New York Journal of Commerce. Additionally, he was also the founder of National Academy of Design. The aim of this club was to help distinguishing painters and to gain respect for their work in the US. He was not only the founder of this community but was its first president from 1826-1845.

Upon arrival from Europe in 1832, Morse apprehended the idea of developing an electric telegraph. This idea came as a result when he heard that scientists have discovered electromagnetism. This notion stuck in his mind and motivated him to work on this concept. The idea of electric telegram had been floating around in the early 1800s but no actual working had been done to proceed it. In 1835, Morse established his first working model.

On the other hand, he was dedicating the majority of his time to his paintings as well as teaching art at the New York University. To sharpen his leadership skills, he also pursued as a Politician working on Anti-Immigrant and Anti-Roman Catholic campaigns from 1836-1841.

He was following multi fields, but by 1836 his main focus had become his invention. Rest of the activities got blurred in the background. In order to proceed with his idea, he needed resources and connections. Working at the New York University, his colleague opened doors for him by acquainting him with Joseph Henry’s work on electromagnetism. Acquiring the knowledge about this whole phenomenon opened his eyes more towards his work.

Morse decided to partner up with a friend, Alfred Vails who assured him to deliver materials and labor that he may require. By 1938 both Morse and Vail successfully developed a system of dashes and dots which now is known as Morse Code.

This system needed to be promoted and to be used. After several failed attempts in Europe, Morse started to seek financial support from the Congress of the United States. He, at last successfully completed the line which was installed in Baltimore, Washington. On May 24, 1844, he commendably sent the first message. Morse’s nature was not of a quitter. After effectively completing his work he fought many rivals in all disciplines of his life, whether it may be a fight against his religious beliefs, divergence amongst artists or controversies regarding his work.

As his Electric Telegraph started to spread and became functional for extended distances his wealth and fame started to flourish. This in result enabled him to buy an estate near Hudson River in Poughkeepsie, New York which later on transformed into a Mansion. He gained a lot from his work in his middle ages but decided not to proceed with other inventions in his old age. Later in his life, he becomes a philanthropist and started to give charity to several churches, Yale College, Vassar College, and Poor Artists. Unfortunately, he died at the age of 80 on April 2, 1872, due to pneumonia in New York City. He is still remembered and valued for his work as an inventor as well as an artist.