Morse code facts for kids

Morse code is a special way to send messages using sounds, lights, or clicks. It's like a secret language made of short and long signals.

This code is named after Samuel Morse, who helped create it a long time ago. While it was very popular in the 1800s and 1900s, we don't use it as much today. Newer technologies like phones and computers make communication much easier. However, some people still enjoy using Morse code, especially those who talk to each other using amateur radio.

Morse code uses three main parts:

• A short signal, called a 'dit' (like a quick beep).
• A long signal, called a 'dah' (like a longer beep).
• Pauses or silences between the signals.

A 'dah' is three times longer than a 'dit'. The pauses between signals are usually the same length as a 'dit'.

History of Morse Code

A Morse code receiver that recorded messages on paper tape.

The idea for Morse code came from an American artist named Samuel F. B. Morse. He worked with a scientist, Joseph Henry, and an engineer, Alfred Vail, to build an electrical telegraph system. This system could only send simple "on" or "off" signals. So, they needed a way to turn those signals into words.

Around 1837, Samuel Morse developed an early version of the code. The first telegraph system, used in 1844, would make marks on a paper tape when it received electrical signals. The machine had a special pen that pressed onto the moving paper tape when a signal came through. When the signal stopped, the pen lifted. Operators would then read these marks on the tape to understand the message.

At first, Morse only planned to send numbers. People would then use a codebook to find out what word each number meant. But in 1840, Alfred Vail made the code much better. He added letters and special characters. Vail even counted how often each letter was used in newspapers to give the most common letters the shortest codes. For example, 'E' (a single dit) is very short because it's used a lot.

This early code, first used in 1844, became known as American Morse code. It was used for many years, especially for sending messages along railroad lines.

How Morse Code Works

International Morse code uses 26 basic Latin letters (A to Z), numbers, and some punctuation marks. There's no difference between big letters (uppercase) and small letters (lowercase).

Every letter or number in Morse code is made up of a pattern of 'dits' and 'dahs'. The length of a 'dit' can change, but it's the basic unit of time. A 'dah' is always three times longer than a 'dit'.

Here are the five main parts of International Morse code:

• Short mark (dit): This is one unit of time long.
• Long mark (dah): This is three units of time long.
• Gap between dits and dahs: This is one unit of time long, separating the signals within a single letter.
• Short gap (between letters): This is three units of time long, separating different letters in a word.
• Medium gap (between words): This is seven units of time long, separating different words.

Sending Help Signals

The Morse code for SOS.

One very important use of Morse code is sending a signal for help: SOS. This famous signal is three dits, three dahs, and three dits (  ▄ ▄ ▄ ▄▄▄ ▄▄▄ ▄▄▄ ▄ ▄ ▄ ).

You can send SOS in many ways:

• Turning a radio on and off.
• Flashing a mirror.
• Turning a flashlight on and off.

The SOS signal is special because it's sent as one continuous signal, without pauses between the letters S, O, and S. It's meant to be easy to recognize in an emergency.

Images for kids

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  Single needle telegraph instrument

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  Telegraph key and sounder. The signal is "on" when the knob is pressed, and "off" when it is released.

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  A U.S. Navy Morse Code training class in 2015.

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  A modern paddle used with an electronic keyer to create fast Morse code.

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  Cayo Largo Del Sur VOR-DME.

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  A Vibroplex brand semiautomatic key, also called a "bug".

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  A chart showing how to find Morse code characters.

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  A chart from 1918 to help remember Morse code.

See also

In Spanish: Código morse para niños