In 1825, portrait artist Samuel F.B. Morse’s life changed when he received tragic news about his wife’s death via slow communication. This inspired him to develop the single-wire telegraph and Morse code. Despite initial setbacks, his invention revolutionized communication. A statue honoring him was proposed while he was still alive, a rare move at the time. The statue’s design, cost, and unveiling were all notable events. However, today the statue’s significance is often overlooked, as modern communication technology like cell phones dominates our attention. Morse’s legacy as a pioneer in communication technology remains underappreciated by contemporary park visitors.
http://daytoninmanhattan.blogspot.com/2014/06/the-1871-samuel-morse-statue-central.html