telegrammen

Telegrammen are the historical workers who operated telegraph systems and managed the preparation, transmission, and delivery of telegrams. The term reflects a period when long-distance written communication relied on electrical telegraph networks, and messages were often sent in brief, urgent form.

In a typical telegraph office, telegrammen encoded messages in Morse code or operated early printing telegraph equipment, monitored line status, and routed and filed outgoing and incoming telegrams. They often assisted customers with composing messages, collecting payment, and maintaining records. In many systems, telegrammen also performed messenger duties to deliver telegrams to recipients, either within a city or across longer distances.

Equipment and workflow commonly included Morse keys and sounders, relays and switching equipment, printing telegraphs or teletype devices, and connection lines between telegraph offices. Telegraph offices operated on schedules and tariff systems, with priority given to express telegrams. Attention to accuracy and speed was essential, as telegrams were frequently time-sensitive and costly to send.

History and decline: The role emerged in the 19th century with the spread of electric telegraph networks and became a core function in national post and private telegraph companies, such as in the United States and several European countries. The advent of the telephone, followed by facsimile and, later, digital communications, led to a substantial reduction in telegram traffic and a gradual phasing out of telegrammen duties by mid- to late-20th century. Some nations retained limited telegram services into the late 20th century for government or ceremonial purposes.

Today, the term telegramman or telegramman-like roles are mainly of historical interest. Modern equivalents include telegraph operators, communications technicians, or electronic messaging specialists.