CLAUDE CHAPPÉ (1763-1805) After the French Revolution. He invented the First Optical Telegraphy system, related to Hydraulic Telegraphy. In 1780 the Chappé brothers managed to send messages 500 m (half a km); Claude Chappé presents his idea before the National Assembly on May 22, 1792. On April 1, 1793 his proposal is approved as aid for the war. With the title of Telegraph Engineer and rank of lieutenant, he was commissioned to build towers, separated by 14 km, from which signals were sent that were captured by telescopes, from Paris to Lille. The first line was completed in 1794, which was the first telegraph line in modern history. First message transmitted on August 15, 1794 reporting that Les Quesnoy, 224 km from Paris just an hour ago, had been liberated from the Austrians.