Final answer:
Samuel Morse was inspired to invent the telegraph after receiving a letter about his wife. The telegraph allowed for almost instant communication over long distances using electrical impulses and Morse code.
Step-by-step explanation:
Samuel Morse was the inventor of the telegraph, which allowed for almost instant communication over long distances. He was inspired to create the telegraph after receiving a letter about his wife. The telegraph used electrical impulses to send signals through wires, which were translated into letters using Morse code. This invention revolutionized communication and greatly increased the speed by which information could be shared and disseminated.