The Birth of Transatlantic Communication: Cyrus Field and the First Undersea Cable

The foundation of modern global communication can be traced back to the mid-1800s with the development of the first transatlantic telegraph cable. Prior to this innovation, sending messages across the Atlantic Ocean took weeks, relying on ships to transport letters. The advent of the telegraph promised to revolutionize this process, significantly reducing communication time.

NPR

Cyrus Field, a businessman from New York, played a pivotal role in this transformation. Initially involved in the paper industry, Field's interest in telecommunication was sparked by an engineer who proposed a telegraph cable between Newfoundland and Eastern Canada. Field envisioned a more ambitious project: extending this cable across the Atlantic Ocean to connect North America and Europe. This idea had never been attempted before, but Field's determination and connections, including friendships with notable figures like Samuel Morse, propelled the project forward.

NPR

In the summer of 1857, Field and his team began the daunting task of laying the cable. The plan involved two ships, each carrying 1,000 miles of cable, which would meet in the middle of the Atlantic to splice the cables together. However, the initial attempts faced significant setbacks, including machinery failures and a massive storm that damaged the cables. Despite these challenges, Field persisted, and a year later, the project resumed.

NPR

In 1858, after multiple attempts, the transatlantic cable was successfully laid. The first official message sent through the cable was a congratulatory note from the Queen of England to the President of the United States, taking nearly 16 hours to transmit. This achievement marked a monumental moment in communication history, leading to a rapid increase in message exchanges across the Atlantic. Within a decade, the cable became an essential component of international communication.

NPR

Field's project laid the groundwork for a global network of undersea cables. By 1900, cables connected nearly every continent, and the routes established during Field's time remain largely unchanged today. The evolution of communication technology continued with the introduction of telephone cables in the 1950s and fiber optic cables in the 1980s. Currently, hundreds of undersea cables facilitate connectivity for billions of people worldwide.

NPR

Cyrus Field's relentless pursuit of the transatlantic cable project, despite numerous obstacles, is often celebrated as a significant achievement in the history of communication. His investment and dedication transformed global interactions, making instantaneous communication a reality.

NPR

• “And Cyrus says, well, you know, if we're going to have a connection to Newfoundland, why couldn't we just extend it across the Atlantic?” — Bill Burns, Founder of Atlantic-Cable.com

NPR

• “UNIDENTIFIED PERSON: (Reading) The Queen desires to congratulate the president upon the successful completion of this great international work.” — Unidentified Person

NPR

• “BURNS: So for $100 in gold in 1866, you could send a 20-word message across the cable.” — Bill Burns

NPR

The story of Cyrus Field and the first transatlantic cable illustrates the profound impact of innovation on communication, shaping the interconnected world we live in today.

NPR