Portrait of Samuel Finley Breese Morse

Before his career as an inventor, Morse was a successful painter. During a voyage in 1832 he saw an electromagnet. Inspired by this, he constructed the first Morse telegraph in 1837. After some improvements, Morse convinced the US Congress to construct the first telegraph line. In 1844 the line between New York and Baltimore was built—the triumphant march of Morse telegraphy had begun. Now people could get in touch with each other, regardless of distance.