Code: The Hidden Language of Computer Hardware and Software, 2nd Edition

Chapter Two

Codes and Combinations

Morse code was invented around 1837 by Samuel Finley Breese Morse (1791–1872), whom we shall meet more properly later in this book. It was further developed by others, most notably Alfred Vail (1807–1859), and it evolved into a couple of different versions. The system described in this book is more formally known as International Morse code.

The invention of Morse code goes hand in hand with the invention of the telegraph, which I’ll also examine in more detail later in this book. Just as Morse code provides a good introduction to the nature of codes, the telegraph includes hardware that can mimic the workings of a computer.

Most people find Morse code easier to send than to receive. Even if you don’t have ...