In “The Victorian Internet”, Tom Standage relates to the reader the trials and tribulations that the pioneer inventors of the 19th century went through in developing the telegraph. Not only did the inventors have to invent a successful, working telegraph but they also had to gain the approval of the public and those in charge of funding and using the invention for the betterment of society. Standage does a wonderful job of working in stories of offshoot uses of the telegraph that its inventors had not planned for, from online romances to criminal mischief. All in all, Standage makes his readers realize something not many had considered: that there was an internet in the 19th century and the telegraph is responsible for this.
Those that wish to understand the history of communication in general will be drawn to Standage’s book. Those familiar with the telegraph undoubtedly heard of the demise of the telegram in 2006, and while it is surprising that the telegram survived as long as it did, it is a testament to the history and usefulness of the telegraph. This book is a must read for those wishing to understand communication as it has evolved over the centuries into a commonplace in our society today. The telegraph today lives on in the form of communication techniques such as text messaging, and those that are users of these methods would certainly find this book an interesting read and find relevance in where we are today in the communication world. Those that find reading through books to be a chore will be happy to know that this work was made into a documentary, “How the Victorians Wired the World.”
Standage gives a thorough history of the telegraph, from the basic beginnings of Claude Chappe in France, to the completion of the Trans Atlantic telegraph wire. The story of the telegraph is told piece by piece, with examples and stories giving the reader an imaginative account of what it was like living in those times as the telegraph revolutionized what life was like. The parallels of the devices evolution in Europe and in America are fascinating, and there is a build up in the book as the two sides are eventually connected by the telegraph, and the triumphant feeling and unrealistic hopes that come with the victory. The scientist and opportunistic businessmen in Standage’s book are presented in a way that is easy to imagine and follow as if they were characters in a fictional novel, making the book easy to enjoy.
It is interesting to note the points Standage makes about people at the time predicting the death of newspapers due to this new technology, much like the rise of the internet has sparked similar predictions in modern times. The newspapers survived the telegraphs rise by adjusting how they presented the news and it actually became quite profitable. “…breaking news could be reported as it happened, in installments-increasing the suspense and boosting sales” (149). This made me think of news papers today, particulary in London where there is both a morning and afternoon edition of the paper.
Written by Standage, an Englishman, it would be easy to assume that he would take a pro-European stance in this book, especially given that there were English scientist involved in the race to develop a working telegraph. This is not the case at all. Standage does a great job of remaining neutral while describing the trials and errors that both the European and American inventors went through in designing the telegraph. If one were to pick up the book and start reading, they would not know whether Standage was European or American. This is a testament to Standage being a good author and the realization that the telegraph was truly a global accomplishment, spanning oceans in its evolution from wild idea to communication breakthrough.
“The Victorian Internet” did a fantastic job of being an all-inclusive look into the history of the telegraph, not only dealing with those that were developing it, but also looking into the lives of those that were funding the device and those that were using it. There are several recounts of clueless customers asking to send physical objects through the telegrams, as well as telegram operators that fell in love with one another, despite never meeting face to face. Standage did a great job researching this subject and finding tale after tale of those living in the 19th century using the telegram. The stories of criminals using the telegram for ill gains makes one realize that not much has changed in the fact that as long as there is a communication marvel, there will always be those that wish to use it to thwart authorities and try and make a quick fortune.
Standage’s purpose is educating the reader on just how difficult it was to not only develop a telegraph and have it work across monumental distances, but to gain funding for it and have the right people in charge of regulating it as well. He accomplishes this goal by being thorough in his recounts, and telling the story through the eyes of several different viewpoints. Both supporters and skeptics of the telegraph are quoted and discussed, to give the reader a view of what the telegraph went though in its remarkable journey. In conclusion, “The Victorian Internet” is a valuable learning tool and analysis of the story surrounding the rise of the telegraph.
Standage, Tom. The Victorian Internet. New York: Walker & Company, 1998.
February 6, 2009 at 3:31 pm
Chris, your introductory paragraph is excellent in that it is a perfect synopsis of the book. Although you give many example of stories in the book, most of them are very general. You would have more focus with fewer stories that tell about specific people and event. you never mention Morse.
Your second paragraph begins to delve into communication theory, I wish you had continued. It was a strong start, particularly the parallel you draw between the telegraph and texting. Good job.