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The Sound Heard Round the World | Adventures in Research (02-06-51)

Sep 13, 2026 · 23m

Summary

This episode features the classic drama "Adventures in Research," chronicling the collaborative invention of the telegraph. It follows Professor Joseph Henry’s 1831 electromagnetism experiments at Albany Academy, which inspired artist Samuel Morse to develop his own device. With the help of mechanic Alfred Vail and Professor Leonard Gale, Morse overcame technical hurdles to create a practical system using dots and dashes. The story culminates in the historic 1844 transmission of "What hath God wrought" from Washington to Baltimore, highlighting the contributions of multiple inventors to thi…

Topics discussed

Sponsor: OnDeck Small Business Loans Sponsor: Just Food for Dogs Sponsor: Just Food for Dogs (Repeat) Show Intro: Old Time Radio Westerns Episode Teaser: The Telegraph Invention Sponsor: Brahmi Protein Pasta Sponsor: OnDeck Small Business Loans Sponsor: Just Food for Dogs (Extended) Story Intro: The Invention of the Telegraph Scene: Albany Academy Classroom, 1831 Professor Henry's Electromagnet Demonstration Discussion: Quantity vs. Intensity Magnets The First Long-Distance Signal Scene: Meeting with Samuel Morse in NYC Morse's Initial Telegraph Design Troubleshooting: The Underground Wire Problem Refining the Machine: Vail's Improvements The Historic Message: What Hath God Wrought Conclusion: The Collaborative Effort Outro and Sponsor Reads
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