Explore some of the ways in which modern telecommunications have had a huge impact on government, business, culture and even personal relationships.
The telegraph was the first form of telecommunication. 'Telegraph' means 'writing from far away' or 'distant writing' and the word originally applied to semaphore systems.
The telephone was based on the telegraph and used electrical signals carried along copper wires.
Wireless did what its name suggested - it did away with the wire connecting sender to receiver.
Television means being able to view moving images at distance and video allows us to record and replay picture and sound. Both are part of daily life.
The story of microwave and satellite transmission is about harnessing the power of high intensity radio waves and focussing them between fixed points on Earth - or in Space.
Visit the updated Communicate! galllery at the National Museum of Scotland.
Discover the records behind the history of telecommunications as BT Heritage launches online catalogue.
Last month: History of the internet learning resource
Gallery: From buttons to bytes
Fun activity: BT Tower activity
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