United Kingdom Electric Telegraph Company; 1851-1870; telegraph company

The United Kingdom Electric Telegraph Company was established by Act of Parliament in 1851. It aimed to develop a comprehensive system of telegraph wires between all the principle towns in the United Kingdom. The company held patents of William Cooke and Charles Wheatstone; and Thomas Allan, who was its superintendent engineer. Professor Charles Wheatstone was their consultant scientist. The chairman was Sir Henry Leeke and the company's offices were registered at 18 Cannon Street, London, subsequently 237 Gresham House, Old Broad Street, London.

The company proposed providing private wires to companies and residences at a rental cost of £2 per year per wire. The company initially intended laying wires underground to protect them from 'atmospheric interference', later however this idea was abandoned for cost reasons. Instead the wires were run along canals and turnpike roads.

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