Before the internet, there was telegraphy-the world's first global communications network.
In the nineteenth century, submarine cables stretched across oceans, linking empires, markets, and governments in real time. Often called the "Victorian Internet," telegraphy transformed how the world communicated-and the Caribbean played a crucial role in that transformation.
In From Cable to Wireless, Richard M. Escalante uncovers the largely forgotten story of how Trinidad and Tobago became part of this global network. From the laying of the first submarine cables to the rise of wireless communication, the colony stood at the intersection of technology, empire, and international conflict.
Drawing on original archival research, this book traces the evolution of telegraphy through key colonial ordinances between 1871 and 1941. It reveals how British imperial policy, private enterprise, and global technological change shaped communication infrastructure in the Caribbean.
The book also brings history to life through four gripping case studies-including espionage, labour unrest, and wartime intelligence-demonstrating how telegraphy influenced major events in the colony.
A prequel to the History of Colonial Radio trilogy, this work provides essential insight into the technological foundations of modern communication in Trinidad and Tobago.
Perfect for readers of Caribbean history, technology history, and British colonial studies.
