The Impact of the Telegraph During the Industrial Revolution The telegraph was a major turning point in the 1840’s. Technology has come a long way since the early days of long distance communication. Today we carry around pocket-sized telephones, but in the past telecommunication technology was not so available. In the 1800’s messages had to be decoded using special symbols and language. Being able to send a message through a telegraph machine was not an easy task. Once the electric telegraph was developed by transmitting information quickly over long distances it became the only way to communicate. It worked by sending electrical signals over a long distance wire. Sending end consists of a stylus with a metal tip on the end--when pressed,