The Oregon Trail and the Fax Machine
History is sometimes super interesting. in 1843 Scottish inventor Alexander Bain filed for a patent on his “Electric Printing Telegraph” machine or “Fax”. 5 days before, 1000 pioneers left Elm Grove, Missouri to search for a new future on the establishing Oregon Trail.
If only the patent for the fax machine came in early, or these pioneers left a bit later, it would’ve been very easy and convenient for the pioneers to inform their families about their safe arrival on the east coast.