If you take today’s date of October 24 and go back to 1861 – on this day in history – Western Union completed the first transcontinental telegraph line. Did you see earlier in the week, three days ago on Wednesday, it was “Back to the Future Day” – from the movie ‘Back to the Future Part II’. In the movie they calculate that in 1985 to go forward 30 years to destination time of October 21, 2015. It is worth noting in that movie Western Union makes a delivery at the end of the movie – all perfect to come together for today’s blog post – complete with a stamp for the Telegraph!
About the stamp – The 1944 3cent Telegraph Centenary “U.S. #924 was issued to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the first official telegraph. Its inventor, Samuel F.B. Morse, sent the transmission on May 24, 1844. That day, Morse sat in the Supreme Court chamber of the Capitol and tapped out the message, “What hath God wrought!” This phrase is included in the stamp design among the telegraph wires. Earlier this year I blogged about Samuel Morse – in “Wrap-up & Kick-off in Morse Code” on April 27th.
The first movie came out in 1985. The Back to the Future 30th Anniversary Trilogy came out on Wednesday. Among the predictions for 2015 it had the Cubs winning the World Series – alas, they lost in the playoffs. ‘The Future is Now!’ – You Tube
Western Union scene – YouTube
Addendum – And then there is “107 Back To The Future Facts YOU Should Know!” by Cinematica that I came across and have added to this blog post shortly after initially posting today’s blog. Get a cup of coffee, hot tea, or soft drink and enjoy the 23:25 minute YouTube.
Thank you for joining me today for this bit of whimsy. Who knows what we will be writing about in our letters thirty years from today. This is a great opportunity to write a letter to our future self with our own predictions including how will Western Union rebrand itself in 30 years, and will the famous quote finally be true: “Roads? Where we’re going, we don’t need roads.”
Anchors Aweigh,
Helen
Attribution & Thank you to the following who are referenced today —
Image upper left of U.S. Postal Service 1944 3c Telegraph stamp, issued May 24, 1944 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the first official telegraph. @PostalMuseum MysticStamp.com
This Day In History, October 24, 2015 1861 – Western Union completes the first transcontinental telegraph line @History
YouTube: “The Future Is Now! – 10/21/15 – A Special Message From Doc Brown” Universal Pictures Home Entertainment @UniversalEnt
YouTube: “Back To The Future II Letter From Doc Scene” BlueSeas Highc
AnchoredScraps.com blog post: “Wrap-up & Kick-off in Morse Code” April 27th by Helen Rittersporn
Addendum: YouTube: “107 Back To The Future Facts YOU Should Know!” (Cinematica) published October 17, 2015 by Cinematica. It was hosted and edited by David Levin, the “biggest Back To The Future fan we have ever met.”
