End of an era

Why wasn't this a bigger news story? I think this is huge. After a century and a half, Western Union has sent their last telegram. The announcement was fittingly delivered by the medium that accelerated their demise, on the company's website.

"Effective January 27, 2006, Western Union will discontinue all Telegram and Commercial Messaging services. We regret any inconvenience this may cause you, and we thank you for your loyal patronage. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact a customer service representative."

During their heyday, Western Union handled over 200 million telegrams a year. Last year that number fell to 20,000. I am sorry to see them go even though I have never sent nor received a telegram. Now I guess I never will.

The company is most famous not for a telegram it delivered, but for a letter. It was delivered to a Marty McFly on November 12, 1955 at the end of Back to the Future II.