Talk:Telegraphy in the United States

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Subject matter[edit]

This article presents just an arbitrary pile of facts or historical events without a clear vision of its title. Even the title is a puzzle and has problems. Should it be "The telegraph in United States history"? If so, is it the history of the telegraph in the United States, or an account of the impact of the telegraph on US history, or what else? This vague and open-ended title is not clarified by the content. It appears as an arbitrary collection of factoids connected with the technology, and will only lead to more of the same. kbrose (talk) 16:16, 23 April 2023 (UTC)[reply]

well the problem is that there is no integrated sophisticated history of the telegraph in the social and economic history of the US. Original research would be required to provide that perspective, and OR is not allowed in Wikipedia. User Kbrose also took exception to a statement about the relative decline due to the new telephone. I have added an explicit statement (see note 12: Willey and Rice (1933) state: "Between 1902 and 1927 the per capita use of the telegraph increased by only 60 percent, which appears to be a relatively small growth for so dynamic a period until it is remembered that the telephone had its development during these same years." Rjensen (talk) 20:29, 23 April 2023 (UTC)[reply]

Article title[edit]

(1) thank you for creating this article specifically and this series generally - can't believe we haven't had these until now; very necessary for Category:History of science and technology in the United States! (2) The article starting with the article "the" seems a bit off to me. I'm not bothered terribly by it but it does distract.

Possible alternatives for a move if main author or anyone bold sees fit: (a) Telegraphic communication in the United States (b) Telegraphy in the United States (c) History of telegraphy in the United States In any case, thanks to all contributors. jengod (talk) 09:26, 19 May 2023 (UTC)[reply]

From what I gather, none of these titles reflect the intend, if that has even been clearly defined. I think it was supposed to be the influence of telegraphy on the course of US history, i.e. the impact of the technology as a disruptive technology, and not a history of the technology, which is already covered in History of telegraphy or elsewhere. Telegraphy in US history would be good without article, but not just telegraph, as it is a countable noun and needs the article, unless you want to use its plural. kbrose (talk) 20:54, 19 May 2023 (UTC)[reply]

Ah, point taken. Then I would propose Influence of the telegraph of United States history. But I'm just a bystander avoiding my own work, so, you know, my advice is worth what you pay for it. :) jengod (talk) 21:15, 19 May 2023 (UTC)[reply]