Morse Code

 

Samuel Finley Breese Morse (1791-1872) would probably be remembered as a painter, had he not invented the famous dot-and-dash code named after him. Born in Charlestown Massachusetts, he came to London as a young man and exhibited at the Royal Academy and returning to America  he established himself as a quite successful portrait painter. 

In 1826 he founded and became the first president of the National Academy of Design but after a few years, his interest in the electric telegraph led him away from painting and in 1838, the first message by "Morse" telegraph was successfully transmitted.  Morse was involved in a great deal of litigation but was eventually successful in obtaining the rights to his invention.