Comments on: Twitter-like device from 1930? http://nearfuturelaboratory.com/pasta-and-vinegar/2007/06/25/twitter-like-device-from-1930/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=twitter-like-device-from-1930 mind/tech bazar from outer space Mon, 06 Feb 2012 13:57:26 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Nicolas http://nearfuturelaboratory.com/pasta-and-vinegar/2007/06/25/twitter-like-device-from-1930/#comment-2498 Nicolas Tue, 26 Jun 2007 17:38:14 +0000 http://www.liftlab.com/think/nova/2007/06/25/twitter-like-device-from-1930/#comment-2498 Oh thanks Sarah for the hint! What I meant by that statement was that similar lowtech devices are no longer seen... although the underlying practice is definitely worthwhile. Oh thanks Sarah for the hint!

What I meant by that statement was that similar lowtech devices are no longer seen… although the underlying practice is definitely worthwhile.

]]> By: Sarah Lipman http://nearfuturelaboratory.com/pasta-and-vinegar/2007/06/25/twitter-like-device-from-1930/#comment-2497 Sarah Lipman Tue, 26 Jun 2007 12:57:48 +0000 http://www.liftlab.com/think/nova/2007/06/25/twitter-like-device-from-1930/#comment-2497 "It did not seem to take off though." Well, I can tell you when something like this *was* in heavy use: immediately after World War II in Europe. I haven't seen the pictures, but I've seen it mentioned in many (10+ books) where when Jewish survivors tried to track down any remaining friends, relatives or neighbors, they would go to their old town or to a Displaced Persons' Center, where names would be written up on notes all over the walls. They'd add their name, some identifying information, and contact information, and then read every single note trying to find names they recognized. They would also return frequently to check new "listings." So, I guess this sort of system can spring up in a grassroots kind of a way (probably not as neat and tidy as in your picture!) when there is a real need for asynchronous communication and location. Sarah “It did not seem to take off though.”

Well, I can tell you when something like this *was* in heavy use: immediately after World War II in Europe. I haven’t seen the pictures, but I’ve seen it mentioned in many (10+ books) where when Jewish survivors tried to track down any remaining friends, relatives or neighbors, they would go to their old town or to a Displaced Persons’ Center, where names would be written up on notes all over the walls. They’d add their name, some identifying information, and contact information, and then read every single note trying to find names they recognized. They would also return frequently to check new “listings.”

So, I guess this sort of system can spring up in a grassroots kind of a way (probably not as neat and tidy as in your picture!) when there is a real need for asynchronous communication and location.

Sarah

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