Looking for a New Way to Send Morse Code? Try Closing Your Laptop a Bunch

Morse code is a method for encoding communications, and was developed by Samuel F.B. Morse in 1837 to be used with an electrical telegraph system that he developed with Joseph Henry and Alfred Vail. It was ideal for the time, because it could be transmitted over long distances using relatively simple equipment. The telegraph’s electrical wires are one example, but Morse code can also be sent via other mediums. You can transmit Morse code with light pulses, sound waves, and even touch. Jesse Li, AKA veggiedefender, has come up with another method: opening and closing your laptop screen.

To be more accurate, Li's project uses the laptop to replace the telegraph key — transmission of the Morse code is a separate part of the system. Also, if it isn’t obvious, this project is just for funsies, and there is absolutely nothing practical about it. If you just want to enter Morse code on a computer, it’s far easier to simply tap a key. But it is definitely fun. The other patrons at your local coffee shop will likely look upon you with respect and admiration as you repeatedly slam your laptop shut over the course of five minutes in order to send a short email.

Li's code is written as a few Linux shell scripts, and has two dependencies. The first is xdotool, which is a common command line automation tool that can be used to simulate keyboard input. The second is acpid, which is able to detect and respond to events on your computer, such as the laptop lid being closed or opened. To use the scripts, you’ll need to first disable your screen lock. You obviously don’t want your laptop going to sleep or locking when you shut the lid. Then you can run Li's shell scripts. By timing when you close the lid and how long you leave it shut, you can enter Morse code to type out basic text. It’s the perfect method for entering messages that make you particularly angry!