But many small historic moments pass us by, usually they are drowned out by the self same television coverage of things that will later prove to be of no more historical interest to anyone other then those immediately affected by the event.
End of eras fall into that category. When did elevator operators become replaced by the automatic elevator, or typewriters by the word processor. Or to go further back in time, to when horse and buggy replaced by the automobile, or trains by airplanes? There is no firm date, as the change was slow and subtle until it was just done.
Few even give a thought to the change, they just continue on with their life. Last month was the end of an era that almost past completely from noticed.
"Effective January 27, 2006, Western Union will discontinue all Telegram and Commercial Messaging services. We regret any inconvenience this may cause you, and we thank you for your loyal patronage. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact a customer service representative."
Now I have never sent, nor received a telegram, but, perhaps because of movies, telegrams have been a part of my life. I think if I had known ahead of time, I would have sent someone a telegram, just so I could say I had. But now the opportunity has passed.
Will the telegraph be missed? No, technology has long passed it by, and perhaps except for legal reasons, should not have stayed around as long as it did.
Like the rotary phone, the phone exchanges with names (I can still remember our phone in National City was GRANGE or “GR”), the three TV networks, black and white TV, life before computers, it is just another sign that the times change and we are getting older.
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