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How to Draw a Telegraph
Draw a telegraph in 14 easy steps, about 11 minutes. Free, with a printable worksheet.
Each picture adds one red line. Draw that line, then scroll to the next picture. Rub out any dashed helper lines at the end. First up: wooden base.
Step 1: Wooden base
Low on your paper draw a long flat box, almost all the way across.
Step 2: The post
Start on the base, just right of the middle. Draw a tall upside-down U. Stop on the base.
Step 3: The lever
Draw a long thin bar with round ends lying across the top of the post, longer on the left.
Tip Rub out the post lines inside the bar.
Step 4: Pivot screw
On the bar, in the middle of the post, draw a small circle. The lever rocks on it.
Step 5: The knob
On the left end of the bar draw a short stalk with a flat mushroom top to tap.
Step 6: The contacts
Under the bar near the knob draw a small square. Draw a block on the base below it.
Tip Leave a gap. Tapping the knob closes it and sends a beep.
Step 7: The spring
Start under the bar, right of the block. Draw a zigzag spring straight down. Stop on the base.
Step 8: Back screw
On the bar's right end draw a flat nut. Under it draw a thin post down to the base.
Step 9: Wire post
On the right end of the base draw a small post with a flat cap on top.
Step 10: Wire and table
Draw a long table line under the base. Start at the cap, draw a curved wire, stop on the table.
Step 11: Yellow brass
Colour the bar, the post, the 2 contacts and the wire post yellow. Leave the small circle white.
Step 12: Grey screws
Colour the small circle, the flat nut and the thin post under it grey.
Step 13: Brown base
Colour the long wooden base brown.
Step 14: Dark knob
Colour the knob and its stalk dark grey. Go over your lines, then tap out a message!

Your finished drawing
Follow the steps above and this is where you end up: a telegraph, drawn by you.
Every step in one picture
