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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