It was just some months ago that social media was under scrutiny for the negative effects it could engender in society.

How times have changed as it is being lauded as the saviour in these unprecedented times of social distancing.

Communication has never been so accessible and welcome as is now.

Imagine going back in time and experiencing how life would have been in yester-years when messages had to be relayed…

490BC – Pheidippides, the Greek soldier, ran 25 miles from a battlefield near Marathon, to Athens, to announce the defeat of the Persians to the anxious Athenians.

Word of mouth communication through toil, sweat and tears!!!

1775 – The US Postal Service is established by the Second Continental Congress and mail distributed. Origins of a postal service could be attributed to the Persian King Cyrus the Great in 550BCE and the Egyptian Pharaoh’s in 2400BCE.

I cannot see you, but I can read what you have written.

1830’s – Samuel Morse invents the Morse code and telegraphy through code makes an entrance in communication.

I can decipher what you want to say. I neither see you nor hear you.

1876 – Alexander Graham Bell invented the first working telephone.

I do not see you, but I can hear you loud and clear.

1895-96 – The first practical radio transmitters and receivers was invented by Marconi from Italy and radio went commercial in 1900.

I can hear the news of the world but only hear you if you become newsworthy. My world has suddenly opened up.

1950’s to 1960’s – Television evolves to become an international phenomenon developed simultaneously in many countries.

I can see and hear the world news and see and hear you if you become newsworthy. I now feel part of a wider world.

1971 – Ray Tomlinson invented the email.

I can communicate instantaneously with you but cannot see you.

1997 – First social media site, Six Degrees, created by Andrew Weinreich.

Our world has changed forever. I can see, hear and communicate with you in real time.

Thanks to all those wonderful inventors, who have made our life so bearable in this current crisis.

Information in this post has been sourced from Wikipedia.