The Evolution of Communication: From Telegraphy to Modern Telecommunications

The word 'communication' is closely linked to the concept of community, deriving from the same Latin root. Communication, defined as sharing information with others, is a common trait among all animals. The classification of living beings is heavily influenced by their communication methods. Humans, the most evolved species on Earth, advanced from living in caves by utilizing gestures and words to interact with fellow beings.

For tens of thousands of years, humans relied on oral communication, compensating for the lack of writing with memory. The discovery of writing around 6,500 years ago revolutionized long-distance communication. Various methods like shouts, drums, trumpets, and fires conveyed limited, prearranged information. Civilizations like the Greeks, Romans, Egyptians, and others used visual methods to confirm news, such as fires and smoke signals.

Historical records mention the use of visual communication methods like fires and smoke signals. Eschylus described the first telegraph line around the 11th century BC, used to relay news of Troy's conquest to Argos. Similar methods were employed in Castile in 1405 to announce the birth of the heir to Enrique III. Communication methods evolved slowly until the late 18th century when modern states like France invested in infrastructure, leading to the world's first regular optical telegraph network by 1852.

The telegraph, initially named 'taquígrafo' (fast writer), was later aptly renamed 'telégrafo' (distance writer). Inventor Clopchap became known as the first telegraph engineer. The French telegraph system inspired optical telegraph systems across Europe, including Sweden, England, and Russia. Spain also developed its unique optical telegraph network, designed by Brigadier José María Maté, albeit later than other countries.

Spain established a significant optical telegraph network, designed by José María Maté, half a century after France. Despite suggestions to adopt electric telegraphy, conservative Spanish governments opted for the optical system due to its perceived reliability and security. This decision reflected a conservative approach to technological advancements. The lack of preservation of historical telegraph towers in Spain highlights the country's neglect of cultural heritage.

The United Kingdom and the United States patented the first electric telegraphs. In the UK, Winston and Cook developed a system based on magnetic needle deviations, eventually reducing to a single needle. This marked a significant advancement in telegraphy technology.

In 1839, the first electric telegraph line was installed on the railway connecting Paddington station in London to West Dryton, 21 kilometers away, marking the beginning of electric telegraphy.

On January 1, 1845, John Tewell murdered his lover Sarah Hart in Slough, England, using hydrogen cyanide. He fled by train to Paddington, where he was apprehended due to a telegraphic communication from Slough detailing his whereabouts.

In the United States, Samuel Morse patented an electromagnetic telegraph, revolutionizing communication with its simple, fast, and cost-effective message transmission.

During the second half of the 19th century, Spain constructed a radial network connecting Madrid to all provincial capitals and major cities, totaling 32,500 kilometers of telegraph lines and 1,500 offices by the end of the century.

After years of effort and multiple failures, a transatlantic telegraph cable was successfully laid on July 27, 1866, connecting Europe and America, drastically reducing communication time from months to minutes.

The transatlantic telegraph cable significantly reduced communication delays, leading to increased demand for telegraphic services, necessitating the optimization of existing systems for faster transmission and the introduction of multiple simultaneous communications.

In 1865, the International Telegraph Convention was signed in Paris, establishing the International Telegraph Union, precursor to the current International Telecommunication Union, highlighting the global importance of telegraphy.

In 1866, significant scientific advancements occurred, including the publication of Dmitri Mendeleev's periodic table of elements, Charles Darwin's 'On the Origin of Species,' and the beginning of the petroleum industry in Pennsylvania, reflecting a period of rapid progress and innovation.

Julio Verne in his book 'De la Tierra a la Luna' predicted that a giant cannon located in Stonehill would launch a capsule with three astronauts to the moon. This location was only 240 kilometers south of Cape Kennedy.

The invention of the telephone was a subject of controversy and legal disputes among American inventors. Contrary to popular belief, the invention was credited to Antonio Meucci, as recognized by the United States Congress in 2002, rather than Graham Bell or Elisa Gray.

The Western Union, in a historic mistake, declined an offer from Bell to acquire the rights to the telephone for $100,000. The president of Western Union, Orton, dismissed the telephone as a scientific novelty with no practical value, leading Bell to establish his own company.

The Bell System, founded by Bell after Western Union's rejection, rapidly expanded and dominated the technological development of telephony. Over 10 years, it acquired more than 900 patents and won over 600 lawsuits, creating a monopoly that generated significant profits and animosity.

Technical advancements and increased communication needs led to a rise in the number of telephones, transitioning from manual switchboards operated by women to automatic exchanges. This shift not only improved communication but also facilitated the entry of women into the workforce.

While the telephone system flourished in the United States, its adoption in Europe was slower. The establishment of the National Telephone Company of Spain in 1924 marked a turning point, leading to a rapid expansion of telephone services in Spain, reaching one million installed phones by 1954.

In parallel to telephony advancements, the late 19th century witnessed the emergence of wireless telegraphy, pioneered by European scientists like Marconi. This innovation allowed communication over long distances without physical wires, laying the foundation for modern radio technology.

In 1901, Marconi achieved the first transatlantic communication between England and Newfoundland, covering a distance of 3,500 kilometers. The receiver's antenna had to be placed on a kite to reach the necessary height. The message transmitted was short, consisting of three beeps representing the letter S in Morse code.

After the implementation of telephonic and radiotelegraphic communication through cables and electromagnetic waves, the next frontier was transmitting sound through radio waves. This became possible with the invention of the triode in 1906, marking the birth of electronics in conjunction with radiotelephony.

In 1956, the first transatlantic telephone cable, TAT-1, with 36 channels and requiring 102 submerged amplifiers in the Atlantic seabed, was laid. This cable marked a significant milestone in the telecommunications history, showcasing the challenges and advancements in long-distance communication.

The concept of communication satellites began to materialize in 1958 with the launch of the first communications satellite named SCORE, transmitting a recorded Christmas message from President Eisenhower. Satellites revolutionized global communication, providing a means for worldwide connectivity and broadcasting.

By the late 1970s, the introduction of pure silicon fiber optic cables emerged as a formidable competitor to communication satellites. These cables enabled the simultaneous transmission of thousands of phone conversations, revolutionizing telecommunications with their high capacity for voice and data channels.

While electronics originated with the invention of the triode in 1906, significant technological advancements occurred during and after World War II. The development of the first programmable computer and the transistor, a pivotal component in information technology revolution, took place during this period.

The widespread dissemination of electronic technologies occurred in the 1970s with the invention of the microprocessor. This innovation, along with advancements in microelectronics, software, and telecommunications infrastructure, paved the way for the convergence of telecommunications, computing, and audiovisual technologies, leading to the emergence of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) with the internet as its paradigm.

During the Cold War era, the United States Department of Defense recognized the need for communication protocols that could withstand a potential nuclear attack on the military telecommunications network. This necessity led to the development of TCP and IP protocols, which could reroute information through undamaged network segments in case of an attack. These protocols originated in the 1970s and 1980s, transitioning Internet from a military and research tool to a global network connecting computers in various sectors like universities, hospitals, businesses, and homes.

The 1990s witnessed a significant social shift with the introduction of mobile phones. The advent of cellular technology in the mid-1980s revolutionized mobile communications, making them prevalent in professional and personal spheres. Technological advancements and regulatory convergence led to the production of smaller, smarter, and more affordable mobile phones. Presently, there are over three billion mobile phones globally, with fifty million in Spain.

The recent passing of Steve Jobs serves as a reminder of his contributions to popular innovations in technology and devices. Many groundbreaking ideas in equipment and technology were conceptualized by Jobs, leaving a lasting impact on the industry.

The evolution of human society into the Information Age has been propelled by information and communication technologies. The emergence of the Information Society suggests that a nation's prosperity and poverty will be influenced by its ability to comprehend and utilize these technologies effectively. Telecommunications professionals play a crucial role in mediating between technology and society, necessitating a comprehensive education that includes not only technical subjects but also interdisciplinary skills like teamwork, flexibility, and creativity.

The conference concludes with an invitation for interactive discussion and questions. Emphasizing the importance of effective communication skills for engineers, the speaker encourages active participation and thoughtful engagement with the subject matter. The goal is to cultivate a well-rounded education that includes not just technical expertise but also the ability to articulate coherent arguments and address concerns effectively.

The first transatlantic cable project, connecting Europe to America, faced numerous challenges such as unknown seabed depths, material insulation issues, and the inability of ships to carry the thousands of kilometers of cable needed. Several attempts, including a failed connection between ships in the Atlantic Ocean, highlighted the complexities involved. The discovery of the telegraph plateau closer to Europe than the US showcased the gradual understanding of the seabed. Specialized cable-laying ships had to be constructed to handle the weight of the 3,500-kilometer cable.

The efforts to establish communication between the US and Europe led to significant positive side effects. These included advancements in working with conductive and insulating materials, increased knowledge of the seabed, and the development of larger, more complex, sophisticated, and faster ships. Despite the project being costly and initially unsuccessful due to technical errors, it ultimately paved the way for technological advancements in various fields.

The challenges faced in early telecommunication projects, such as the first telephonic cable in the 1950s, were immense. The lack of technology capable of supporting the endeavor, requiring 300 amplifiers, some at depths of 3,000 meters, posed significant obstacles. The need for reliable electronic systems to ensure signal transmission reliability to remote locations drove advancements in electronics and technology to overcome these challenges.

The speaker reflects on the historical evolution of telecommunications, noting significant discoveries and technological advancements. They highlight the monopolization of technological knowledge in the field, expressing concern over the limited access to scientific expertise despite widespread use of technology like mobile phones. The speaker emphasizes the need for a deeper appreciation of the science behind technology and the importance of broadening knowledge beyond specialized domains.

The discussion shifts to the evolution of engineering expertise over time. In the past, engineers had a comprehensive understanding of their field, but as technology advanced, specialization became necessary. The speaker mentions the importance of teamwork in tackling complex projects, highlighting the shift towards multidisciplinary collaboration. They stress the need for engineers to have a transversal education, encompassing not only deep technical knowledge but also a broad understanding of related disciplines to address modern technological challenges effectively.