What is Heliograph – Communicating by light

A heliograph can be seen up to 30 miles (48 kilometers) away on a clear day without a telescope. The modern heliograph is mounted on a tripod, like a camera.

A heliograph can be seen up to 30 miles (48 kilometers) away on a clear day without a telescope. The modern heliograph is mounted on a tripod, like a camera.

The easily made but practical apparatus described in this chapter supplies an incentive for learning the Morse telegraphic code, which is used for sending sound signals, and for visible signals transmitted by means of flags, lamps, and heliograph mirrors. Signaling is so interesting, and on occasion can be so useful, that no apology is needed for introducing signaling apparatus into this book.

Throughout history, armies and navies have sent messages across battlefields. Simple orders like “Advance” or “Retreat” could be given by bugle calls or cannon-fire. But sending reports of the battle back to headquarters needed a different system. During the 1790’s,…

The relay game – Games for youth groups Playing the relay game shows how easy it is for relayed messages to be changed or misunderstood.Make up a group of eight or more people in a circle.One person whispers a 10-word message…

1. You need: 2. Draw a map of an imaginary island. 3. Draw and invent names for these things on your map: 4. Draw some dangers on the map: 5. You are Alabama Smith or Vicky Vermont. How did you…

Who was Marco Polo? Marco Polo was the first European to travel to Asia and tell his story. His book, “The Travels of Marco Polo” is the most famous travel book in history. Marco Polo was born in 1254 in…

1. You need:2. Choose a star. Glue some photos onto the sheet of paper. Cut out or write their name.3. Fold the sheet of paper twice to make a booklet with the photos on the inside.4. On the front page…

1. You need: 2. On one sheet of card draw a volcano. Colour it.3. Cut across the top of the crater. Measure the cut.4. On the other sheet measure and draw a column and cloud of lava. Cut it out.…

Spin the whizzer to make a moving picture.Invent your own wacky animal whizzer or use one of these ideas: 1. You need:2. Draw two circles on the card.3. On one circle draw and colour your animal.4. On the other circle…

1. You need: 2.Glue photos of your favourite sport on a large sheet of paper.3.Cut out letters to give your poster a title.4.Write about a sports star. Find a photo if possible.5.Draw and label pictures of the things you…