Unintended Networks

ON FEBRUARY 4, 1870, the eve of British telegraphy’s nationalization, GPO executives invited major London press organs to attend a special evening ceremony at London’s postal headquarters. Reporters watched as a “corps” of five hundred uniformed telegraph boys marched from Telegraph Street to St Martin’s-le-Grand, accompanied by the Post Office Rifles Volunteers Regiment Band. On arrival, they were joined by a Post Office Rifle guard of honor. Together, they marched into the cavernous GPO circulation room, stood at attention for the national anthem, and performed basic drill movements in front of their new commander, Secretary Frank Ives Scudamore. Scudamore instructed