Why was copper essential for the development of telegraphy?

Copper played a crucial role in the development of telegraphy because of its high electrical conductivity, which allowed signals to be transmitted over long distances with minimal energy loss. It was also resistant to corrosion, ensuring the durability of telegraph cables. Additionally, its low resistance enabled precise signal transmission without the need for amplifiers. Copper wires made it possible to construct the first telegraph lines and later lay the transatlantic telegraph cable in 1866, revolutionizing international communication.

What role did copper play in the development of telephony and the internet?

After Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone in 1876, copper became the primary material for telephone lines. Copper cables allowed voice transmission over long distances, contributing to the global expansion of telephone networks. In the internet era, copper wires were used in early internet connections, especially in LAN networks and DSL broadband, enabling high-speed data transmission. While fiber optics are now widely used, copper remains relevant in many telecommunications solutions.

Is copper still used in modern telecommunications systems?

Yes, copper continues to play a significant role in telecommunications despite the rise of fiber optic technology. It is still used in telephone networks, internet access in less developed areas, and modern applications such as data centers. Due to its high conductivity and ability to carry large currents, copper is used in busbars that provide reliable and efficient power distribution for IT infrastructure. Additionally, copper is essential in manufacturing advanced microchips and AI systems, which require fast and stable communication.

Copper Parts And Components in Communication. How Copper Contributed to The Development of Telegraphy And Long-Distance Communication?

14 February 2025 r.

In today's world, long-distance communication is nothing extraordinary – we can send messages and talk without any restrictions in many ways.

However, what is now commonplace seemed unreal a few centuries ago. Until a certain American inventor sent a telegraphic message over a long distance for the first time. This would have been impossible without copper. So let's see how this extraordinary material contributed to the development of telegraphy and the communication networks we know so well.

The Development of Telegraphy – Impossible Without Copper!

May 24, 1844, is a momentous date in the history of long-distance communication. On this day, Samuel Morse sent the first telegraphic message from Washington to Baltimore, which initiated an extraordinary period in the history of mankind. And although this inventor was not the first to construct a telegraph, he is credited with creating the foundations for the further development of telecommunications.

What was the role of copper in all this? Large enough that we can confidently say that without it, the first electromagnetic telegraphs probably could not have been created. On the one hand, this raw material was used to produce components of telegraphic devices (such as electromagnets or coils), and on the other hand, copper wires were used to transmit signals – first between cities, and then on an international scale. Why were other materials not used? Primarily due to the properties of copper, thanks to which it was possible to efficiently transmit electrical impulses through wires, which was the foundation of the telegraphy system of that time.

What copper properties are we talking about? Well, copper:

has high electrical conductivity, which allowed signals to be transmitted over long distances, while minimizing energy losses and improving the quality of communication;
is naturally resistant to corrosion, which was crucial in the context of the durability and reliability of telegraph cables;
is characterized by low resistance, thanks to which cables made of it enabled precise transmission of clear signals, without the need for amplifiers;
is a flexible and easy-to-process metal, which allowed for easy laying of telegraph lines both in the field and in cities.

However, this is not the end of our journey through the 19th century. Another date worth remembering is 1866, when the first transatlantic telegraph cable was laid on the bottom of the Atlantic. It allowed messages to be sent between Europe and North America in real time, which was a real revolution in international communication. It will certainly not surprise anyone that its core consisted of seven individual wires of pure copper.

What is the conclusion from this? Without the use of copper, the development of telegraphy, and thus long-distance communication, would have been impossible.

Copper and the Global Communication Network and Internet – Modern Times

However, the role of copper does not end there. On the contrary – with the emergence of new technologies, wireless and radio telegraphy systems developed, and this material was an important link in devices and cables. Copper was also not abandoned after Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone in 1876. It became the basis for creating telephone lines – copper cables allowed for the transmission of voice over long distances, connecting first cities, then countries, which contributed to the creation of a global communication network.

And so, with an efficient step, we can – from telegraphy, through telephones – move on to the internet, which today is the foundation of long-distance communication. It will probably not surprise anyone that copper wires were already used in the first internet connections, especially in local (LAN) and broadband DSL connections. They allowed for high-speed data transmission, which contributed to the rapid development of the internet in the 1990s.

And although today, in the 21st century, optical fibers have become widespread, the use of copper in telecommunications has not decreased. It still remains a key material in many areas, especially in telephone networks and internet access in less developed areas. Twisted-pair, STP, UTP, and coaxial cables, as well as structured cabling, are still commonly used today.

Copper in Modern Telecommunications Solutions

What's more, copper plays an important role in modern telecommunications solutions, such as data centers. Data centers, which are the foundation of today's communication, require reliable and efficient power supply. Copper busbars, due to their high conductivity and ability to carry high currents, are an ideal solution for this type of application. They ensure safe and efficient distribution of electricity, minimizing losses and the risk of failure.

The development of artificial intelligence (AI) also affects the demand for copper in telecommunications. AI systems, which process huge amounts of data, require fast and reliable communication. Copper, as an excellent conductor, enables data transmission at high speed, which is crucial for the efficient operation of AI algorithms. In addition, copper is used in the production of advanced integrated circuits, which are necessary for building computers and servers on which AI systems operate.

Therefore, copper remains an irreplaceable material in telecommunications, both in traditional and modern applications. Its unique properties, such as high conductivity, durability, and corrosion resistance, make it an ideal choice for the telecommunications industry, which is constantly developing and evolving.

Summarizing

Copper has had and still has a fundamental importance in creating the communication network. Copper cables – from telegraphy, through telephony, to the development of the internet – enabled the transmission of information over a distance, revolutionizing the way people around the world could communicate with each other. And there is no indication that the use of copper in this context will decrease in the near future, even in the era of fiber optic development. It will probably remain an integral part of the telecommunications infrastructure, witnessing and participating in the development of the global communication network for many decades to come.

Electris specializes in the production of high-quality copper components, such as busbars, connectors, and sleeves, tailored to the specific needs of the telecommunications industry. Thanks to many years of experience and a modern machine park, Electris is able to provide comprehensive production solutions, guaranteeing customers the highest quality and reliability.

You can contact us via e-mail: sales@electris.pl