Friday February 3, 2006
End of An Era, Final Telegram Sent
A telegram was traveling on its way
Like a sad old song from somewhere in the distance of a dream
Flashing across the darkness on the telegraph machine.
It said, “From Billy,” at the bottom, “to Baby,” at the top
“Western Union Wire, please help me.” — stop.
“Western Union Wire, don’t leave me.” — stop
Western Union Wire
(Kinky Friedman)
The world's first telegram was sent on May 24, 1844 by inventor Samuel Morse. Over 150 years later, effective January 27, 2006, Western Union has discontinued all Telegram and Commercial Messaging services.
The decline of telegram use goes back at least to the 1980s, when long-distance telephone service became cheap enough to offer a viable alternative in many if not most cases. Faxes didn't help. Email could be counted as the final nail in the coffin.[ Era Ends: Western Union Stops Sending Telegrams, in LiveScience, January 31, 2006 ]
Did you ever send (or receive) a telegram?
I sent 1 telegram in my life, received a few I think, but only for congratulations & such.
Rick:
Can't say that I ever have.Doug:
Yep. And I even had my hands on a connected and operating telegraph key for a few minutes. STOPZellaJaneI also played chess via a telegraph link from the USS Colonial and the observatory at Mount Wilson. STOP
Yes--sure did! I received one from NYCity (delivered locally via telephone with 'hard copy' later received in the mail) when I graduated from high school....but more importantly, I learned Morse Code well enough to earn my extra class amateur radio operator's license....
End of An Era, Final Telegram Sent
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- posted at Fri, 03 Feb, 08:05 Pacific
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