Post by Ross Clark"The day was launched in 2020 by Postcrossing, the website platform for
physical postcard exchange, and the print production company Finepaper,
following the 150th anniversary of the postcard in 2019." (Crystal)
https://www.postcrossing.com/
On 1 October 1869, the Austrian Post Office "put into practice" the
suggestion by "an Austro-Hungarian professor from Vienna" for a
practical and cheap method of sending short messages.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Postcard
Reached England in the 1890s, when _The Standard_ described it as a
"craze".
I take this a bit more personally than other Days.
I have a box of (unwritten) postcards -- new, old, beautiful, ugly,
interesting and...strange.
I would like to send them all (one by one, in the mail) before I become
unable.
Maybe I'll try Postcrossing, though I'm not sure it's what I'm looking
for. I will also send them to people I know. I hope.
Having pen pals in foreign countries was a popular hobby during
the 1950s -- 1970s. It was a way for people to connect with others
from different cultures and learn about new places.
Air travel or International Travel was much more difficult and
time-consuming in the 1950s -- 1970s compared to today. Air travel was
not as widespread or affordable, and ocean voyages were still a popular
option for long-distance travel.
This made it harder for people to meet friends in person, so pen
pals became a valuable way to stay connected with people from different
parts of the world.
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Shortwave radio was another popular hobby during the 1950s --
1970s. It allowed people to tune in to broadcasts from around the
world, including news, music, and cultural programs.
Shortwave radio was particularly popular among radio enthusiasts
and those interested in international affairs. It was a way to hear
different perspectives and learn about what was happening in other
countries.
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Ham radio has seen a decline in recent decades, but it still
has a dedicated following. The rise of digital communication
technologies like the internet and cell phones has made it easier for
people to connect with others around the world.
However, ham radio continues to be popular among enthusiasts
who enjoy the challenge of building and operating radio equipment,
experimenting with different frequencies, and communicating with people
from all over the globe.