Once again, this is supposed to be common knowledge, for it is googlable, and can be found on Wikipedia, as well as on a whole bunch of other resources. Yet, I doubt that things similar to the ones presented below are being taught at school. If they are, they are probably being presented as some natural part of the Industrial Revolution.
19th century Fax Machine by Giovanni Caselli
Giovanni Caselli
It was another 100 years before...
It was another 100 years before...
19th century Fax Machine by Giovanni Caselli