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Fiber Optics Fiber optics are quickly replacing out-dated copper wires. Fiber optics is based on a concept known as total internal reflection. It can transmit video, sound, or data in either analog or digital form. Compared to copper wires it can transmit thousands of times more data. Some of its general uses are telecommunications, computing, and medicine. The very first “fiber” was made in 1870 by the British physicist John Tyndal. In this experiment that he showed to the Royal Society he placed a powerful waterproof lamp inside a tank of water, which had closed pipes coming out the sides. When he opened up the pipes so water could flow, to the amazement of the crowd, the light totally internally reflected inside the beam of water as it fell to the ground. One of the very first forms of optical communication was done Paul Revere in his famous Paul Revere’s ride. Here he used the well-known signal “one if by land, two if by sea.” Although primitive, this was still optical communication and we must give him credit for it. Another contender was Alexander Gram Bell and his photophone. With this device, one person would speak into a microphone causing a mirror to vibrate. Then sunlight would reflect off the vibrating m