Gauss and Weber build an electromagnetic telegraph in Göttingen

Background. Wilhelm Weber joined the University of Göttingen in 1831 as professor of physics, recommended by Gauss. This appointment fostered a fruitful collaboration between the two scientists, leading to new knowledge of magnetism and a representation for the unit of magnetism in terms of mass, charge, and time. Gauss's own practical work had earlier produced the heliotrope in 1821 and a magnetometer in 1833.

Construction. In 1833, Gauss and Weber installed a 1,200-meter-long wire above the roofs of Göttingen. This line physically connected the observatory with the institute for physics in the town center. The construction represented the first practical implementation of an electromagnetic telegraph, demonstrating the feasibility of transmitting signals over distance using electrical currents.

Legacy. The telegraph was a significant scientific achievement, establishing the first electromagnetic telegraph. However, Gauss and Weber did not pursue commercial use of the invention. Their collaboration also contributed to the understanding of magnetism, including the definition of units for magnetic measurement, influencing later developments in physics and electrical engineering.