Inventor; born in
Morristown, N. J., Sept. 25, 1807; graduated at the
University of the
City of New York in 1836; became interested in the experiments of
Prof. Samuel F. B. Morse (q. v.), whom he greatly aided in the perfection of the telegraph.
In 1837 he constructed a miniature telegraph line on the plan of
Morse's invention, which was examined and pronounced practicable by a committee of Congress.
Subsequently he built the first
Morse machine, and became the
assistant superintendent of the telegraph line constructed between
Baltimore and
Washington.
On May 24, 1844, he received from
Washington the first message sent over telegraph wires.
His inventions include the lever and grooved roller; the alphabetical application of the
Morse dot-and-dash system; the first combination of the horizontal lever to move a pencil, pen, or style; a telegraphic alphabet of dots, spaces, and dashes; and the finger-key.
He published
The American electro-magnetic Telegraph.
He died in
Morristown, N. J., Jan. 18, 1859.