Twitter in 1935

From Modern Mechanix, a Twitter-like machine from 1935, that looks like a prop from the movie Brazil.

Robot Messenger Displays Person-to-Person Notes In Public

To aid persons who wish to make or cancel appointments or inform friends of their whereabouts, a robot message carrier has been introduced in London, England.

Known as the “notificator,” the new machine is installed in streets, stores, railroad stations or other public places where individuals may leave messages for friends.

The user walks up on a small platform in front of the machine, writes a brief message on a continuous strip of paper and drops a coin in the slot. The inscription moves up behind a glass panel where it remains in public view for at least two hours so that the person for whom it is intended may have sufficient time to observe the note at the appointed place. The machine is similar in appearance to a candy-vending device.

Twitter in 1935 (Via Maikelnai's Blog)

[#1 posted by Takuan, June 22, 2009 4:54 PM]

imagine a tree with thorns.

[#2 posted by Stefan Jones, June 22, 2009 5:01 PM]

I don't buy that this is early Twitter.

But it is still damn cool, and it would be way, WAY cool to recreate it using modern technology and deploy it at Maker Faire.

[#3 posted by wizardofplum, June 22, 2009 5:10 PM]

#Takky- Shrikey!I fink yer idea is for the birds.

[#4 posted by KidDork, June 22, 2009 5:19 PM]

The 'Notificator' sounds like a C-List Transformer.

[#5 posted by Anonymous, June 22, 2009 5:32 PM]

lol funnnnnnnyyyyyyyyyy

[#6 posted by RichZellich, June 22, 2009 5:43 PM]

And Filthy Pierre probably thinks _he_ invented the Voodoo Message Board. Little does he know.

[#7 posted by HeruRaHa, June 22, 2009 5:53 PM]

@Depression you're not so great #grapesofwrath

[#8 posted by 3.14chan, June 22, 2009 6:05 PM]

looks like those steampunk tech from movies

[#9 posted by grimc, June 22, 2009 6:07 PM]

@takuan

Imagine multiple trees, placed at regular intervals along public streets. Perhaps they could even serve other functions, like holding telephone and power lines.

[#10 posted by reginald, June 22, 2009 8:46 PM]

It's back!

http://www.boingboing.net/2007/07/05/ye-olde-timey-robot-.html

[#11 posted by normd, June 22, 2009 9:07 PM]

"@Depression you're not so great #grapesofwrath"

thanks for the chuckles, HeruRaHa!

[#12 posted by sopekmir, June 22, 2009 10:20 PM]

Wow, the idea of placing Notificator in public places was so great.

I always yearn for big screens on our streets with Twitter threads on them.

:-)

[#13 posted by Anonymous, June 23, 2009 12:45 AM]

funny & intresting to know ;]

[#14 posted by Luke1972, June 23, 2009 1:04 AM]

@reginald beat me to pointing out this is a dupe.. :(

[#15 posted by Anonymous, June 23, 2009 3:39 AM]

[#16 posted by Pantograph, June 23, 2009 3:52 AM]

It's like a SYSTEM where you post your BULLETIN which are then shown on some kind of BOARD.

But what I really want to know is: were there Extended Feline posts, stretching over multiple index cards on there?

[#17 posted by tomaq, June 23, 2009 8:18 AM]

It seems to want a flip-on magnifier like the computer screens in Brazil (the tiny detail that spoke volumes about that world).

[#18 posted by dculberson, June 23, 2009 9:04 AM]

Buttle

@World AhhhhH!!!

About 24 years ago from apartment

[#19 posted by Ned613, June 23, 2009 9:53 AM]

Twitter is free, the notificator had a fee. Different business models. My guess is that the notificator had more substantive comments.

[#20 posted by Anonymous, June 23, 2009 11:11 AM]

HAHAHHA, thats great.

[#21 posted by Anonymous, June 23, 2009 11:46 AM]

wow! :)

[#22 posted by Anonymous, June 23, 2009 1:24 PM]

Or a BBS.

Ward Christensen and Randy Suess invented the BBS to make a computer "online" version of the cork bulletin board at Chicago CACHE meetings.

[#23 posted by Anonymous, June 24, 2009 4:56 AM]

see how technology grows?

[#24 posted by Anonymous, July 27, 2009 12:08 AM]

But note that it had a for-fee business model...