Cyrus Field

Visionary behind the first transatlantic telegraph cable connecting continents

Cyrus West Field (1819–1892), a paper magnate turned tech pioneer, masterminded the first transatlantic telegraph cable in 1866—a feat many deemed impossible. Before this achievement, transoceanic communication relied on ships carrying letters for weeks. Field’s cable reduced message transmission from 10 days to minutes.

Field faced colossal challenges: four failed attempts (1857–1865), technical limitations of submarine cables, and skepticism from investors. He partnered with engineers like Lord Kelvin to innovate cable insulation and laying techniques. The successful 1866 cable, stretching 1,686 nautical miles, revolutionized global commerce, diplomacy, and journalism.

Though bankrupted twice during the project, Field’s persistence redefined human connectivity. The cable laid groundwork for modern undersea fiber optics. Historian John Steele Gordon called it “the Victorian Internet.” Learn more about his legacy at the Atlantic Cable Museum.