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Posts tagged: Boing

The Notificator Beat Twitter by Over 70 Years

Picture 9BoingBoing points out a great story from the archives of Modern Mechanix magazine, a description of a device known as the Notificator:

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.   LINK

It seems one of these devices was actual put into service in London in 1935 and according to a lengthier description of the device, it looks like it was in service until sometime in 1938.

Sadly, it looks like none of the original paper rolls survived.  That would have been a priceless archive of information about the daily lives of Londoners in the 1930’s.  Actually, it would probably look a lot like my Twitter stream, and thus prove worthless from an historial perspective.

If nothing else, the existence of the Notificator, which is really just a fancy bulletin board, proves that humans have always had the desire to broadcast even their simplest needs into the public ether.

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categories Uncategorized | admin | datetime June 23, 2009 9:08 am | comments Comments (0)

Vancouver Set to Become Terrorist Photography Haven

City of Vancouver
Image via Wikipedia

Thanks to BoingBoing, I have learned that Vancouver is throwing all caution to the wind and opening themselves up wide for the unspeakable terrorist acts they are now all but supporting with their official stance on public photography:

Vancouver police are not allowed to seize cameras or cell phones from anyone, unless they have consent, a warrant, or the person has been lawfully arrested. Constable Lindsay Houghton tells the Province newspaper the policy has always been there, but it’s now in writing and updated in their official regulations manual.    LINK

Can you imagine the chaos that would erupt in a city like New York if police officers simply allowed people take pictures of anything they could see with their own two eyes?!

Luckily, for the citizens of New York, police officers regularly harass tourists and locals alike for treasonous behavior such as taking pictures while riding the subway or, even worse, of the actual subway cars.

I certainly feel safer in a city where police feel completely entitled to stop anyone they think looks “funny” and force them to turn over not only their cameras and cell phones but makes them empty out their bags and purses just for the right to ride the train.

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categories Uncategorized | admin | datetime June 18, 2009 11:35 am | comments Comments (0)

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