"A Gilt-Edged Class of Trained Men": Telegraph Schools in Canada and the United States, 1870s-1920s

Abstract

Throughout the late nineteenth century and early twentieth century hundreds of young men and women sought to learn telegraphy in schools and colleges. These schools aimed to uplift students into promising careers by equipping them with a rare skill set at an affordable price and a small time commitment. Telegraph schools aimed to provide students with a uniform set of skills, knowledge, and experiences to get right into the workforce as telegraphers. The development of telegraph schools is also tied to the history of technical schools more broadly. Ultimately, telegraph schools over promised what they could deliver to their students.