1-1 History of communication

Summary

This lesson delves into the evolution of communication, from ancient methods around campfires to the global Internet. It explores various historical techniques like the Marathon runner, homing pigeons, and optical telegraphy, leading to the advent of electrical telegraphy and Morse code. The script highlights the transition from direct transmission to interconnected networks, culminating in today's complex Internet structure, setting the stage for a deeper exploration of quantum communication and its potential to revolutionize our global network.

Takeaways

• 🌐 The lesson provides an overview of the evolution of communication from ancient times to the modern era of the Internet.
• 📶 The importance of communication for social interaction and survival is highlighted, emphasizing its role in sharing information about food and danger.
• 🔥 Early forms of communication included gatherings around fires for direct conversation, showing the social roots of communication.
• 🏃‍♂️ Historical examples such as the Battle of Marathon and the use of runners to deliver messages are mentioned to illustrate early long-distance communication methods.
• 🕊️ The use of homing pigeons for message delivery is discussed, showcasing the ingenuity of ancient communication techniques.
• 🐎 The Pony Express is cited as an example of early rapid message delivery across vast distances in the US.
• 🔦 Optical telegraphy, including the Great Wall of China's fire signal system and Napoleon's semaphore, is explained as a precursor to modern communication.
• 📟 The transition from direct message transmission to electrical telegraphy marked a significant advancement in communication speed and efficiency.
• 📞 The invention of the telephone and the subsequent development of switchboards allowed for real-time voice communication, expanding the reach of human interaction.
• 🌐 The Internet is described as a global network of networks, connecting diverse systems and enabling instant access to information and communication worldwide.
• 🚀 The course aims to explore quantum communication, its benefits, challenges, and its potential to revolutionize communication beyond the classical Internet.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the first lesson on quantum communications?

The main focus of the first lesson is to provide an overview of the evolution of communication, discuss the basics of digital and analog signals, introduce the concept of 'the bit', and explain the significance and challenges of quantum communication.

How did early humans communicate before the advent of modern technology?

Early humans communicated by gathering around fires and talking to each other, sharing information about food sources and potential dangers, which was crucial for their survival and social interaction.

What is the historical significance of the battle of Marathon in terms of communication?

The battle of Marathon is historically significant for the legend of a runner being sent from Marathon to Athens to deliver news of victory. However, the actual historical event involved sending a runner to Sparta to gain support, covering a distance of 225 kilometers in less than a day.

How were homing pigeons used for communication in the past?

Homing pigeons were specially trained to return to their home or coop. People would write messages on small parchments, attach them to the pigeon's leg, and release the pigeon, which would fly back home to deliver the message over distances of up to 1600 kilometers.

What was the Pony Express and how efficient was it in delivering messages?

The Pony Express was a company in the early US that connected the east and west coasts, delivering letters and small parcels. A horse rider would take the message to relay stations, change horses, and continue the journey. The entire 4,000-kilometer journey could be completed in about 10 days, which was considered very fast for that era.

What is optical telegraphy and how was it used historically?

Optical telegraphy relies on pre-agreed signals and optical methods to generate these signals for the recipient to see. A famous example is the Great Wall of China, where guard towers would light fires to signal threats, and neighboring towers would observe and relay the message by lighting their fires.

How did Napoleon's semaphore system work and what were its limitations?

Napoleon's semaphore system used crane arms that could be arranged at specific angles to represent different letters and messages. An operator would control these arms using levers and pulleys. The main limitation was the need for direct visual contact, making it dependent on good weather and daylight.

What is Morse code and how did it revolutionize communication?

Morse code is an abstract alphabet consisting of dots and lines (short and long pulses) that represent letters and numbers. It allowed for quick and efficient transmission of messages over electrical telegraphy, spanning continents in minutes and replacing older methods like the Pony Express and Napoleon's semaphore.

How did the invention of the telephone change the way people communicated?

The invention of the telephone实现了人类之间的声音传输，最初是点对点的连接。随着电话的普及，网络变得越来越大，解决方案是建立一个交换台，所有电话都连接到这个交换台，你首先打电话给交换台，然后交换台将你连接到你想要联系的人，从而建立连接。

What is the current state of global communication as described in the script?

The current state of global communication is characterized by the Internet, a global network of networks where various heterogeneous networks are interconnected. This allows for the consumption of voice, video, entertainment, news, and access to virtually any form of information within a very short time.

What does the script suggest about the future of communication beyond the classical internet?

The script suggests that the journey beyond the classical internet involves exploring quantum communication and understanding the new tools and challenges associated with it, indicating a move towards more advanced and potentially disruptive communication technologies.