I am not sure of the origin of the base, "-graph",
graph - writing/drawing they used graph because you metaphorically sent each letter of a written message individually, so the other person could write it out at the end. that is either from the book information ages or from a book on andrew carnegie's proposed simplification of spelling in the english language, apparently he would have saved much money on telegraphs if source was spelled sors and similar things. though his argument was put forth as a populist move, making things easier for the workers, etc. it is interesting bit of history nonetheless. last i checked you could still send a per letter telegraph via western union. jeremy hunsinger jhuns@vt.edu on the ibook www.cddc.vt.edu www.cddc.vt.edu/jeremy www.cddc.vt.edu/jeremy/blog () ascii ribbon campaign - against html mail /\ - against microsoft attachments