Introduction
Telegraph
This is a long distance transmission of messages without physical contact of the sender and the receiver. However, it is a must that the method used for encoding message is familiar by both sender and the receiver. These methods are designed in a way that the can limit medium used in signals (Gray, 2013). In addition, these signals include smoke, flag semaphore and beacons.
The Telephone
This is a device which converts sound into electric signals, which are appropriate for transmission over long distances. From the history, telephone was the first device which enables people to talk directly with one another (Curtis, 2013). However, it became indispensable to households, offices and government, and it is now applied in many appliances around the world (Herring, 2013).
Cell Phone
This is a common device across the globe. It is a device that makes calls over the radio link while rotating around a geographic area. Over the years, the features of cell phones and apparently they are offering multiple services such as emailing, messaging and MMS (Marshall, 2013).
The fact that, telegraph, telephone and cell phone serve a similar function in communication poses a challenge to the users, on what to choose /purchase. Users are having a problem in determining the device which is cost effective, efficient in services and easy to use (Coe, 2003).
Importance of Problem Statement
The aim of this paper is to determine the effective, cost efficient and an easy way of communication. This is by comparing the three devices in terms of their durability, cost price and the services they provide (Marshall, 2013). Thus, this will ensure that proficient information is available among the users to help them in purchasing.
History of the Telegraph
This was the first form of communication through which messages could be sent from one a distant. It was one of the inventions in the industrial age. Samuel Soemmering invented the first electrical telegraph in 1809. The invented telegraph was made of gold wires, which would send messages approximately two thousand feet away from a source. The invention of Telegraph is based on the challenges that occurred following the transmission of messages. It came as a challenge to the methods that were used in the delivery of messages in the form of signs such smoke and light (Curtis, 2013). This method was believed to be a bit fast in the delivery of messages as it was instant.
The development of telegraphs was a main requirement in the society, and massive investment had to be made. The main reason why communication was to be enhanced through telegraphs was to improve the transmission of messages for troops and other groups who worked as a group but from a distance. However, the benefits of the element were wide spread among different groups since telegraphy had become a crucial element at the moment. Security departments for different governments benefited adversely from the invention as it was the best method in terms of security to relay messages. The experts in delivery of messages through sound and smoke suffered worst blow following the invention of the telegraph.
Strengths, weaknesses, and limitations of telegraph
The machine could send complex messages, which could have not been encoded easily by another party apart from the target party. Telegraphs were also controlled through networks which were managed through satellites, making them reliable and fast in delivery of messages.
One of the weaknesses that the system suffered from was the unstable network. In most cases, the satellites failed to lead to inconveniences following lack of delivery for certain messages. There also needed to be many operating towers within a 20 miles locality failure to which the system could not operate accordingly (Marshall, 2013).
There are factors that would have limited the ample delivery of messages through telegraphs. One of them is the high cost of installation of operating towers. The operations of the telegraph would have also been influenced by poor environment conditions with extreme weather conditions rendering it difficult to operate telegraphs (Curtis, 2013).
History of Telephones
Alexander Graham Bell and Elisha Gary are the founding fathers of telephones in 1870s. They designed elements through which they would transmit speech electrically from one geographical area to another. These devices were later known as telephones. In most cases, the invention of the telephone is credited to Bell Graham as he looked forward to improving the telegraph. The fall of the telegraph can be viewed as the platform through which the telephone was developed. The telephone had to challenge the use telegraph for it to triumph (Gray, 2013). However, it succeeded in the battle winning over the challenge for the telegraph.
The discovery of the telephone was significant in the sense that it was helpful to every individual. Individuals would purchase the device for personal use unlike the case for telegraphs. Organizations and security bodies found telephones as more convenient and reliable than telegraphs paying massive attention to the device. However, the invention of telephones came with adverse disadvantages to some groups in society. It was a challenge to security departments, which had invested a lot of money in satellites for telegraphs which have been overtaken so fast by the new invention (Gray, 2013). It was extremely difficult to install the new devices.
Strengths, weaknesses, and limitations for telephones
One of the features that made telephones adoptable is the simplicity in use of the device. This device was easy to operate for any individual compared to telegraphs which were extremely difficult. The device was also more reliable than telegraphs in terms of security for messages. After working for a long time with telegraphs, it could have been extremely easy to interpret some signals while it was difficult to encode a message form a telephone. They never relied on networks to enhance communication.
However, there are weaknesses that characterized the device. One of the weaknesses is reliance on wires to transmit messages, which is rendered the device extremely slow in message delivery. The device was not also mobile. It could have only been operated within one place making it inconvenient.
The limitations that engulfed the use of the device include the inability to operate within a large area. Installation of wires to connect these devices was extremely expensive making it difficult to connect many devices within a wide locality. The use of wires for transmission of messages could also be classified as a limitation since wires are not the most reliable mediums of transmission. Extreme weather conditions would be limitations to the use of telephones. For example, heavy rains main terminate wire connections between devices making it difficult for individuals to communicate with each other (Gray, 2013).
Niche markets for communication devices
As the inventors of these devices came into thoughts for these devices, they focused on delivering solutions to certain challenges in the society. They aimed at fostering communication within the society.
The inventors had discovered a wide market in the society where communication was becoming extremely vital. There were subsequent needs for continuous communications among the members of the society. Organizations in the society had to foster their communications and these were the most crucial and fundamental tools to foster communication. The advancing need for coherent society was the driving force for the invention of these means of communication (Marshall, 2013). They would foster reliability and enhancement of togetherness among the members of the society.
Cell phones
Cell phones were as a result of the improvement of telephones. After discovering that telephones could serve the intended purpose of communication in the best manner, scientists thought of improving the telephone into a more reliable device, which gave rise to the discovery of cell phones. This is referred to as the dominant technology in the communication sector. Cell phones are simple to use, cheap as well as convenient for its users (Herring, 2013).
Although, this form of technology enjoys adverse merits in the delivery for services, there are some weaknesses that have become predominant for the technology. One of the main challenges that are linked to use of mobile phones is lack of adequate security for the user’s security. This is because these devices have messaging application, which may be accessed by another party exposing the information of the individual to a third party (Herring, 2013).
As time elapses, there are improvements taking place on these devices making them more reliable in service delivery than before. One of the techniques that are being used is that the Cell phones are being improved into devices being operated on transparent touch-screens which render massive security to access for information in a device. Cell phones have also adopted the most modern of communication of social media, which allows an individual to communicate with a group of people in the same locality or widespread in the globe (Herring, 2013). This is an extremely crucial enhancement of communication for cell phones.
People are yet to see more improvements in the cell phone sector since there are adverse improvements, which are yet to be made. One of the improvements that need to be necessitated in technology is the existence of an international network through which all mobile phones operate like the case for computers through the internet. This would enhance the global communication.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is vital to recognize that communication remains an extremely significant element in the society. This has been the major cause of the consistent inventions and improvements in the society. The invention of telegraphs was an indication that the society was yearning for improved life standards through communication. With time, scientists and technology experts aim at improving the communication devices. They began with telegraphs which were improved to telephones which appeared to be more reliable than telegraphs. With time, telephones were improved into cell phones, which were more reliable in delivery of messages and in fostering security for messaging and oral communication. Communications through cell phones is fashionable, reliable and adorable. This form of communication encourages constant improvement of cell phones by installing adverse programs in them that make these devices contain massive numbers of services like social sites. Communication is an extremely crucial part of life in the society, and devices in use must be treated with all due respect. Therefore, communication and evolution of its devices remains a flamboyant topic of discussion.
References
Coe, L. (2003). The Telegraph: A History of Morse's Invention and Its Predecessors in the United States. New York: McFarland.
Curtis, D. (2013, February 24). The Telegraph. Retrieved February 24, 2013, from The Telegraph: http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/
Gray, E. (2013, February 23). Telephone. Retrieved February 23, 2013, from Telephone: http://inventors.about.com/od/bstartinventors/a/telephone.htm2
Herring, J. (2013, February 23). Cell Phone. Retrieved February 23, 2013, from Cel Jonathalphone: http://reviews.cnet.com/cell-phones/
Marshall, B. (2013, February 23). Telegraph. Retrieved February 23, 2013, from telegraph: http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/telephone.htm
