The World's First Internet

[BaalChatzaf]

The first approximation to the Internet happened (in Europe) back in the 15-th century. In China it happened several hundred years before. Movable type. This enabled books to be made cheaply (relatively speaking) and in large numbers. Thus one author, with the help of a few dozen printers could communicate his ideas to thousands and tens of thousands. It was one-way communication to be sure, but it was revolutionary. Without movable type the Protestant Reformation would never have happened. Martin Luther was one of the earliest media stars. Not only his words, but a wood cut image of his face was transmitted far and wide. Luther could be recognized on sight on the streets of Wurtemburg.

The next advance toward the Internet was the magnetic telegraph permitting two way conversation (at a low data rates) over large distances at a considerable fraction of the speed of light. The telegraph bound the United States together as much, if not more, than the railways.

After that come the trans-Atlantic cable. When the cable was being laid the two ships sailing in opposite directions kept in touch by telegraph over the cable they were laying. When they were far enough apart, for the first time in human history ships could communicate with each other over the horizon.

Then came radio following on the the physical advances made by Maxwell and Faraday.

And The Rest is History. But it all started with movable type and the printing press. These inventions had as much to do with making the world we know, as the wheel and the steam engine.

Ba'al Chatzaf

[Selene]

Baal:

Excellent observations. The Guttenburg Revolution. Have you read any of Marshall McLuhan?

http://www.marshallmcluhan.com/

he shares your theory.

Adam