The Victorian Internet

The Victorian Internet by Tom Standage

All about the telegraph.  Starting with the optical telegraph, widely used in the late eighteenth century and early nineteenth -- mostly by government.

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tidbits cross time

In colonial America, court was often held actually in the tavern -- though they did have rooms to conduct it in.

In imperial Rome despite the stupendous cost, saffron was used to dye hair blond.  (Blond hair wigs, from German or Gallic slaves, were easier.)

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