The Introduction And Development Of Telegraph Technology In Late Qing Dynasty

Telegraph technology is the origination of the modern communication technology. The invention of it initiated the new era of the communication career, and took a very important position in the technology history. In the middle of 19th century,the telegraph technology developed and was introduced widely in western countries once has been invented.As a result, it gained large social benefits.But the ingress in China was not a plain sailing.It lasted for several decade years.The development of telegraph technology didn't change with each passing day like western countries. As an important technology which has been introduced to China during late Qing Dynasty, telegraph has produced a large influence in the society. It not only promoted the transformation of China's communication career, but also played an important role in military, economy, foreign affairs, education and other aspects of the society.From the introduction of"Electric General Standard"which is the first book that introduces electromagnetic and telegraph in 1851, to the foundation of the first telegraph college—Fuzhou Telegraph College in 1876, the completion of the first telegraph line—Taiwan Telegraph Line, until the end of Qing Dynasty, telegraph technology has been introduced to China completely through science books, people went abroad and student abroad. At the same time, the foundation of telegraphs college and publishes of science books made telegraph technology spread to a certainty scale. Quite a lot of skilled workers have been cultivated by the Telegraphs College and student abroad. Telegraph technology developed practical techniques like Si-ma Telegraph and Pin-yin Telegraph. The telegraph career had developed to be a wired telegraph line network covered 60,000 kilometers, contained nearly 700 telegraph bureaus and covered every provinces in the country.The introduction of telegraph technology during late Qing Dynasty and certain extend development owed to several aspects of late Qing Dynasty. Firstly, the aggression of the west and recognition of telegraph career by the invaders not only made the government officials and every estate of the society know telegraph, but also made them recognized the facing crisis of telegraph career in late Qing Dynasty. Ultimately, it promoted the introduction and development of telegraph technology. Secondly, the social opening and increase in intercommunication between China and foreign countries has made telegraph a convenience introduced technique. Thirdly, urgent needs of Military, society, and economy brought out the incomparable advantage in communication of Telegram technology. All that have accelerated introduction & development of telegram technology and finally facilitated the establishment of the telegraph school and construction of telegraph line. Fourthly, the development of sci-technology education has created more suitable sci-tech environment and provided safeguard for introduction and development of telegram technology.Review telegraphic technology introduction and whole developing process in late Qing Dynasty; there are a lot of drawbacks also among them. Firstly,there are weak points of led behind, sluggish and limited propagation mode. Secondly, the development of telegram technology in late Qing Dynasty is limited. Thirdly, application of telegram technology in Late Qing Dynasty equivalent to other area is relatively backward. Fourthly, compared with other countries at that time, the telegram undertaking, the time to use telegram, use scale and use intensity exist certain disparity. Main factors of these insufficient: firstly, the traditional thought and policy of seclusion have hindered the introduction of telegram technology in late Qing Dynasty. Secondly, the backwardness of science and technology and education has delayed the introduction course of telegram technology and hold back the development of telegram technology. Thirdly, urgently thought has limited the use of the new technology and equipment and slackened the motive force of the technical telegram development.