The device pictured here first appeared in The Daily Telegraph on April 19, 1858, and remained for more than a century. The flowers beneath the telegraph wires represent the United Kingdom, by which this paper still stands.
The first issue of The Daily Telegraph, in 1855, declared: "We shall be guided by a high tone of independent action." Consistent, clear, independent opinion is the aim of our leading articles yet. Articles by named authors on our comment pages may present views with which we disagree; that is what makes debate of a high quality. This debate continues with readers' help online. If the electric telegraph was the internet of the 19th century, in the 21st century we reach out through electronic technology. As our future is tomorrow's present, the challenge of responsible innovation justifies our motto: "Was, is, and will be."
