The evolution of the Code took time. Morse was shown a basic telegraph system by Henry. Henry used it to let his wife know when he was leaving the Uni to come home for a meal. Others such as Wheatstone also were using telegraphic systems at this time. Morse adapted the existing telegraph systems. Morse did produce a code but it was a bit clumsy so Vail reworked it. This was again modified by others and a number of versions existed around the World one of which we use today. Morse initially used a paper tape inker to record the signals but the operators learned to read the messages by ear from the sound of the inker relay. They had the message written down before the tape was taken off the machine for reading. And so began the practice of decoding by ear.
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Ron