Think about what it might have been like to coordinate a meeting sixty-five years ago, before computers and conference calling. How would a business in Toronto have conducted business with someone in London, England, 65 years ago?
Coordinating a meeting between two parties in different locations 65 years ago, before the advent of computers and conference calling, required a different set of approaches and technologies. In the scenario you've described, where a business in Toronto needed to connect with someone in London, England, the following methods would have been commonly used:
1. Postal Mail: The primary means of communication for international business was through written letters sent via postal mail. To coordinate a meeting, both parties would exchange letters to discuss the details, propose potential dates, and negotiate the logistics. This process could be time-consuming, as the exchange of letters would often take several days or even weeks.
2. Telegraph: Telegrams were a faster alternative to postal mail. They allowed for the transmission of short, urgent messages electronically. However, telegrams were relatively expensive, and their use was limited to concise communication due to cost considerations.
3. International Phone Calls: Making a long-distance phone call was another option, albeit more expensive. Businesses in Toronto could reach out to an operator to establish a connection with London. However, international calls were generally reserved for important matters due to their high cost and limited availability.
4. Telex: A telex machine, similar to a typewriter, was often used for written communication between businesses. It allowed for the transmission of messages over long distances via telegraph or telephone lines. To coordinate a meeting, parties would type out their messages and send them through the telex network. However, telexes were primarily used for written communication and lacked the real-time nature of phone calls.
5. Appointment through intermediaries: In some cases, businesses would rely on intermediaries or representatives from each location to coordinate meetings on their behalf. These individuals would physically travel between Toronto and London, carrying messages, negotiating details, and confirming the appointments.
Overall, coordinating a meeting between Toronto and London 65 years ago required careful planning, patience, and reliance on slower forms of communication. It often involved exchanging written letters, utilizing telegrams or telex machines, making expensive long-distance phone calls, or relying on intermediaries to act as liaisons between the two parties.