Communication has come a long way over time

We call it progress. Back in the early, early days, for word to reach across the country it had to be in letter form. You saw to it that it was put on the stagecoach to be delivered to a relative in either the Midwest or as far as the stagecoach traveled, and it would eventually reach its destination in five or six months if you were lucky; then the person it was delivered to had to be informed the letter had arrived, which was so unusual that almost the whole town knew mail had arrived in the town. It was a miracle almost.

Then one day rumors started traveling that something new called the Morse code and the telegram were being used to communicate, and ONLY important news was sent this way, usually bad news such as a death. “The telegram boys always bring bad news” was the refrain, especially in war time.

Eventually telephones were introduced and folks who could afford one were considered monied people, but what an invention. It was considered a miracle again -- people could talk to one another on a black contraption with a handle and mouthpiece that you put up to your ear to hear what the other person was saying on the other side of your town or city. Those were the days of the operator who spoke to you with “number please.”

That opened a whole new way of life, as if you were on a four-party line and listen in to conversations and know quite a lot about what your neighbors were up to. When a new member of the family arrived up the road, you heard all about it, as well as many other interesting happenings, both good and bad. Many romances blossomed on the line as well as with operators who became friendly with certain men. But that is a whole column of interesting stories.

There could be unpleasant things with other telephone parties with your same line. Telephones left off the hook, sometimes unintentionally and sometimes on purpose. A certain code and politeness as well as etiquette on the use of your telephone line was created. Private lines eventually became popular and with a few more dollars you could have your own convenience and privacy.

Then we came to the automobile phone, mobile phones at the workplace, and email.

Today we have not only computers but the smart phone and what a piece of equipment that has become -- and probably will become even more, although I can’t imagine what more can be done. It has almost anything a person can want in communication today. When it first came into the market, everyone had to have one, adults mostly, but today teenagers, middle age and even kindergartners have them with their own individual phone numbers. One convenience people had was carrying their phone with them at all times. I was one of “those” who while grocery shopping would hear someone next to me talking. Like a dimwit I thought they were talking to me until I turned around and found them with the cell phone to their ear. Everyone seems to have one of these stories to tell. The good point to these phones is all the lives they have saved during emergencies.

But now the smart phone has arrived. You call the grandchild of 3 or 4 years, she arrives on the phone that has the picture of her and it’s animated. A video conversation begins, perhaps you are on vacation at the other side of the country...the grandchild doesn’t miss the grandparent because you not only talk to them like you once did, but now you have a conversation much like you are both in the same room, live in person. You can talk to the whole family as well.

Other perks included on this phone: you not only listen to the news while at work but you also watch it on your phone and even though it’s against the law to use your phone while driving, you can have an additional appliance so you can hear it with both hands free. Like TV from the phone. Many more items are available such as a note pad for jotting appointment, etc. and on and on it goes. You wonder what new gimmick our “master minds” will come up with in the future!