The electric telegraph was a revolutionary invention that transformed long-distance communication. Today, it is commonly referred to as the telegraph or telegraphy. However, there are numerous synonyms for the electric telegraph, including the Morse code machine, the telegraph instrument, the electrical signalling device, the wire recorder, and the wire communication system. Each of these terms has a different connotation and usage depending on context and audience. The development of modern communication technologies has made the electric telegraph almost obsolete, but it remains a key historical invention that paved the way for modern communication systems like the internet and cell phones.