It's been nearly 200 years since the electric telegraph was first used.

The device was publicly used for the first time in January 1838 at Speedwell Ironworkers on Route 202 near Morristown.

Alfred Vail and Samuel Morse revolutionized communication. This would be the way people around the world communicated for much of the 19th century.

There's a debate about the actual date it happened. Some say Jan. 6. Others say Jan 8. Some even say Jan. 12.