Optical Telegraph

The optical telegraph, also known as the semaphore system, was an early method of long-distance communication using visual signals. Developed in the late 18th century, it employed a series of towers equipped with movable arms or flags. Operators could position these arms in various configurations to convey messages, which were then relayed from one tower to the next. This system allowed for faster communication across distances compared to traditional methods like horseback or courier. The optical telegraph was instrumental in military and maritime communication before the advent of electric telegraphs and ultimately paved the way for modern telecommunications.