The Telegraph of Love

In the Versailles public library there is a manuscript from 1801 entitled The Telegraph of Love. It is a play that testifies to the profound impression and impact that Chapp's invention of the optical telegraph had on the Parisian public just seven years after its invention (15 August 1794). The comedy is set in the countryside. It stars two young lovers who use the wings of two windmills to send visual messages, always in secret from their parents. But when other heroes use the windmills for similar amorous purposes, things and the lovers become confused with each other in classic French fashion.

The author's conception of the telegraph is innovative. The protagonists are aware of the intangible nature of aerial communication. By using this method the lovers can thwart all surveillance, as ephemeral signals cannot be intercepted like written messages. "I must admit I had the right invention. Nothing is as useful as a love telegraph," sings the comedy hero.

We know, of course, that historically the optical telegraph was used exclusively for military and civilian purposes. However, the anonymous author is almost prophetic, as he foresees the use of the new means of communication to meet the needs of lovers.

The title of the work refers to an engraving by Pierre-Michel Alix (1762-1817) depicting two lovers declaring their love to a young woman using a telegraph consisting of a bow, an arrow and a torch. This engraving is reproduced in the book 'La Telegraphie Chappe' (ed. Guy De Saint Denis, 1993) which is in the library of the Museum of Telecommunications.

Source: Bruno Bentz, 'Le Télégraphe d'amour', Les Cahiers de la FNARH No 93, 2004, 28-31