The man who would have invented the Internet
There is a report in The Herald about CCSU students painting a mural of Elihu Burritt. I was surprised. Burritt is such an obscure figure today, and the students deserve credit for reminding others of his importance.
If there was ever a person born ahead of his time, it was Burritt.
Burritt was born in 1810 and taught himself some 30 languages. He was a genius who believed very strongly in the ability communicate -- the universal translator before Star Trek. He authored books, started newspapers, but what I especially admired was his Ocean Penny Postage campaign.
In 1865, when Burritt began his campaign for cheap postage, it cost 25 cents to mail a letter to Europe. That was a big sum of money. He believed that communication fostered understanding and ultimately peace.
If Burritt were around today, he would have understood immediately the implications of the Internet and would have, I have no doubt, been a big blogger.
If there was ever a person born ahead of his time, it was Burritt.
Burritt was born in 1810 and taught himself some 30 languages. He was a genius who believed very strongly in the ability communicate -- the universal translator before Star Trek. He authored books, started newspapers, but what I especially admired was his Ocean Penny Postage campaign.
In 1865, when Burritt began his campaign for cheap postage, it cost 25 cents to mail a letter to Europe. That was a big sum of money. He believed that communication fostered understanding and ultimately peace.
If Burritt were around today, he would have understood immediately the implications of the Internet and would have, I have no doubt, been a big blogger.
posted by kob at
5:40 PM
0 Comments
