Skip to main content
   

Transforming society

Explore the first part of the story of telecommunications and look at how the key technologies of telegraph, telephone, wireless and video were discovered and developed over two centuries.

The impact on physical movement and trade

The impact on physical movement and trade

The telegraph made little direct impact on most people's lives. It was a 'specialist' technology, owned by companies and operated by professionals.

The impact on society

The impact on society

Each new communications technology has had a greater impact on society than the one before. The telegraph changed society indirectly, by transforming the workings of government and industry. But the telephone and radio ...

Impact on government

Impact on government

Telecommunications has had a wide and profound impact on the way governments operate. By the 1860s, the telegraph had begun to change the machinery of government, making it easier for administrators to exercise central ...

In peace and war

In peace and war

With telecommunications, the further you go, the more dramatic the impact. Thus the telegraph, telephone and wireless altered the relationship between communities and nations more dramatically than the relationships ...

Shrinking the world

Shrinking the world

The advent of live radio and television link-ups between continents has helped people become better acquainted internationally. As the technology has evolved it has brought ordinary people together from different parts ...


Explore Connected Earth
What's on

Visit the updated Communicate! galllery at the National Museum of Scotland.

Partner in profile

Discover the records behind the history of telecommunications as BT Heritage launches online catalogue.

Most popular