Forgotten Tech - Optical Telegraphs
This video will take a look at a technology that seems forgotten but is hiding in plain sight; the optical telegraph. In 18th century France, there was a system that could transmit information across the country in a matter of minutes instead of days.
If you'd like to support this channel, you can do so at patreon.com/CurioMechanics
This video was editing using open source software Kdenlive, if you'd like to help support their development efforts, you can do so at https://kdenlive.org/fund/
00:00 – Intro: A Message Without Wires
01:12 – The Problem of Distance
02:45 – Enter Claude Chappe
04:30 – How the Optical Telegraph Worked
06:15 – Speed & Scale of the System
08:00 – Limitations & Vulnerabilities
09:30 – The Rise of Electric Telegraphy
11:00 – Legacy & Forgotten Impact
12:30 – Outro & Viewer Invitation