Re:Unicode (1889)
by kristopolous on Thursday November 26, 2020 @08:07AM
(#25219702)
Telegraphs charged by the word, a lot
"In 1860, for example, a ten-word telegram sent from New York to New Orleans cost $2.70 (about $65 in 2012 currency). When the transcontinental telegraph opened, the cost was $7.40 for ten words (about $210), while a ten word transatlantic message to England cost $100 (about $2,600)."
That's why in those old movies and plays everyone always looked dreadfully concerned about making sure someone got their telegraph message, that thing was pricey.
Re:Unicode (1889)
by dTal on Friday November 27, 2020 @07:12AM
(#25228031)
Incredible that it's cheaper now to physically travel across the Atlantic and deliver your 10 word message in person, all expenses paid, than it was to send it by wire.
"In 1860, for example, a ten-word telegram sent from New York to New Orleans cost $2.70 (about $65 in 2012 currency). When the transcontinental telegraph opened, the cost was $7.40 for ten words (about $210), while a ten word transatlantic message to England cost $100 (about $2,600)."
https://newatlas.com/last-telegraph-message/28314/
That's why in those old movies and plays everyone always looked dreadfully concerned about making sure someone got their telegraph message, that thing was pricey.