Reference

The Beardslee telegraph machine was replaced with traditional Morse key technology due to several limitations and advantages of the Morse system. Here's a breakdown of the reasons:

Limitations of the Beardslee Telegraph:

1. Technical limitations: The Beardslee telegraph sent a single pulse over the wire to indicate that an advance of the dial was required. This limited its ability to transmit complex messages efficiently (Source: Beardslee telegraph technical limits).
2. Operator skills: Although the Beardslee telegraph didn't require knowledge of Morse code, it still needed operators with some technical expertise, which limited its widespread adoption (Source: Signal Corps in the American Civil War - Wikipedia).
3. Reliability: The Beardslee telegraph was prone to mechanical failures, which affected its reliability in transmitting messages over long distances (Source: The Beardslee Magneto Electric Signal Telegraph Machine).

Advantages of Morse Key Technology:

1. Efficiency: Morse code allowed for faster transmission of messages, especially for experienced operators (Source: Morse Code & Telegraph: Invention & Samuel Morse ‑ HISTORY).
2. Wide adoption: Morse code was already widely used and understood, making it easier to integrate into existing telegraph systems (Source: Telegraph - Electrical Signals, Morse Code, Communication).
3. Simpler operation: Morse keys were simpler to operate than the Beardslee telegraph, requiring only a basic understanding of Morse code (Source: History - A Telegraph Key).

In summary, the Beardslee telegraph machine was replaced with traditional Morse key technology due to its technical limitations, operator skill requirements, and reliability issues. The Morse system offered faster transmission, wider adoption, and simpler operation, making it a more practical choice for telegraph communication.

Here are some relevant images:

• Beardslee Telegraph Machine
• Morse Telegraph Key
• Telegraph Operator using Morse Key