Posts from DU in the 1930's/40's unearthed (and the REAL history of DU)

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Wed Sep-26-07 12:47 PM
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Posts from DU in the 1930's/40's unearthed (and the REAL history of DU)

Before the days of the computer a bright young man, Grandpa Skinner was in college. Most all his friends were in different classes though and he wanted a way to talk to them about things during the day.

It all started (and evolved, more on that in a moment) with a note book (no, not like an apple or dell, a real one with paper in it).
Skinner left it in a special place in the bathroom which only he and his friends knew about. Someone could start a new page with a new discussion, or you could reply to what someone else was saying - or both if you had the time (And we won't get into the secret foot tapping and passing of the notebook under the stalls, I ain't Ken Burns ya know - and there are no Latino's in the story right now, but I will add one later if pressed about it).

Other people heard about it eventually, and more people wanted to participate. People could write things anonymously which helped fuel the desire many had to be heard but not publicly known among their peers for their views.

And so on fine Autumn day DU 1.0 was born. A series of leather bound notebooks that were passed around the school, at the bars, eateries, and even in class. The were titled "The people's underground". Some of the books were specific to politics, some to general news chat, and there was also "The parlor" which was passed around in bars and contained many drunken posts and beer stains (and a few blood stains from fights over posts in it).

Posts in poor tastes were blotted out, and sometimes who discussions were torn from the book. Thus was born the idea of a moderator who was assigned to each book, if someone thought something was bad they took the book to the mod who made the decision whether or not to blot out someone's thoughts.

There is more history, and I hope those of you history buffs out there can add to it.

Now onto some of the early posts:

"Did you listen Colonel Olberman on the mystery hour last night? He's dreamy, and my friend Suzie says she met him once and he really does smoke Laramies! :swoon:"

"WRITE TO CONGRESS RIGHT NOW DAGNABIT!!! They want us in a war with Germany and are trying to make that Hitler guy look bad. Even if he is loading people up on trains, haven't we don't worse by our Indians?"

"Did you see the page Jefferey made in the Parlor book? He is giving away something called a PUzzy award for writing funny things. Winners get a free beer at the Olive Bar on high street!"

"Can you believe that woman? She is BOTTLE feeding a child in public! Doesn't the poor dear have a home?!"

People also began to sign their posts, not with their real name, but a made up one. And some started adding smiley faces. Some really talented people would draw pictures after their comments.

So there you have it, a basic overview of the wonderful history of what is now DU. There is much more to add. Feel free :)