When did semaphore come about?

Semaphore, a system of conveying information at a distance using visual signals, was developed in the late 18th century. The earliest mechanical semaphore systems, such as the one created by Claude Chappe in France around 1792, utilized movable arms to represent letters and numbers. This innovation significantly improved long-distance communication before the advent of electrical telegraphy. Semaphore systems were widely used in various countries throughout the 19th century for military and maritime communication.