The Victorian Internet
by Tom Standage
"The Victorian Internet" by Tom Standage explores the invention and impact of the telegraph in the 19th century, drawing parallels between this revolutionary communication technology and the modern internet. Standage highlights how the telegraph transformed society, influenced commerce, and reshaped personal communication, much like the internet does today. Through anecdotes and historical context, the book reveals the social and cultural ramifications of this groundbreaking innovation.
20 curated highlights from this book
Key Insights & Memorable Quotes
Below are the most impactful passages and quotes from The Victorian Internet, carefully selected to capture the essence of the book.
The telegraph brought us closer together, making the world smaller and more connected.
Information can travel faster than the speed of a horse.
The telegraph transformed the way we think about distance.
With the telegraph, news became instantaneous.
People began to see the world through a new lens of immediacy.
The rise of the telegraph created a new kind of public discourse.
The telegraph was the first technology that allowed for real-time communication.
Just as the printing press changed society, so too did the telegraph.
The telegraph connected people in ways previously unimaginable.
The Victorian era was defined by the innovations of communication technology.
The telegraph is a new means of communication that has transformed our understanding of time and distance.
People began to realize that they could communicate instantly across vast distances.
The rise of the telegraph created a sense of urgency in news reporting.
The telegraph allowed for the first time the rapid dissemination of information.
It changed the way people thought about space and time.
The telegraph was a precursor to the internet, laying the groundwork for future communication technologies.
New forms of social interaction emerged as a result of the telegraph.
The telegraph made the world feel smaller and more interconnected.
People began to form communities based on the shared experience of receiving news.
The technology of the telegraph was a reflection of human ingenuity and curiosity.