The Victorian Internet

In 'The Victorian Internet,' Tom Standage unveils the startling parallels between the 19th-century telegraph and today's internet. He explores how this revolutionary communication tool reshaped society, fostering global connections and spurring the exchange of ideas. Standage paints vivid portraits of early adopters and skeptics alike, capturing the excitement and anxiety surrounding this new technology. The book delves into the cultural impact of instantaneous communication and its role in shaping modernity. With engaging anecdotes and insightful analysis, readers are invited to reflect on how far we've come—and how history may repeat itself.

By Tom Standage

Published: 2014

"The telegraph is the first glimpse we have of a technology that allows for instantaneous communication over vast distances, an invisible thread connecting minds across time and space."

The Victorian InternetBook binding

Start Listening

0:000:00

What Readers Say About This Book

A new paperback edition of the first book by the bestselling author of A History of the World in 6 Glasses-the fascinating story of the telegraph, the world's first "Internet," which revolutionized the nineteenth century even more than the Internet has the twentieth and twenty first.

Mike & Casey Show Logo

The Mike & Casey Show

Dive into captivating book discussions with our expert hosts

Key Points from The Victorian Internet

About the Author

T

Tom Standage

Tom Standage is a renowned British author and journalist, celebrated for his engaging exploration of historical themes through the lens of contemporary relevance. He currently serves as the digital editor at The Economist and has penned several notable works, including 'A History of the World in 6 Glasses,' 'An Edible History of Humanity,' and 'Writing on the Wall: Social Media - The First 2,000 Years.' His writing often merges humor with insightful analysis, making complex subjects accessible to a wide audience. Standage's ability to connect past events to modern societal issues has made him a distinguished voice in the fields of history and journalism.

Book Details

Key information about the book.

Authors
Tom Standage
Published
February 2014
Publisher
Bloomsbury Publishing USA
ISBN
162040592X
Language
English
Pages
257
Genres
HistoryHistory of TechnologyCultural HistoryTechnology

Purchase Options

Amazon logoBuy on Amazon
BookShop logoBuy via BookShop

Support local bookstores: BookShop gives a portion of each sale to independent bookshops!

Similar books you might like →

The Richest Man In BabylonBook binding

The Richest Man In Babylon

George S. Clason

PrinciplesBook binding

Principles

Ray Dalio

The Immortal Life of Henrietta LacksBook binding

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks

Rebecca Skloot

Guns, Germs, and SteelBook binding

Guns, Germs, and Steel

Jared Diamond

The City in HistoryBook binding

The City in History

Lewis Mumford

Blue MindBook binding

Blue Mind

Wallace J. Nichols

What Technology WantsBook binding

What Technology Wants

Kevin Kelly

A Brief History of Everything (20th Anniversary Edition)Book binding

A Brief History of Everything (20th Anniversary Edition)

Ken Wilber

BuzzedBook binding

Buzzed

Cynthia Kuhn, Scott Swartzwelder, Wilkie Wilson, Leigh Heather Wilson, Jeremy Foster

Medieval Technology and Social ChangeBook binding

Medieval Technology and Social Change

Lynn White (Jr.)

A History of the World in 100 ObjectsBook binding

A History of the World in 100 Objects

Neil MacGregor

The Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of World OrderBook binding

The Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of World Order

Samuel P. Huntington

Irrational ExuberanceBook binding

Irrational Exuberance

Robert J. Shiller

No is Not EnoughBook binding

No is Not Enough

Naomi Klein

Men, Machines, and Modern TimesBook binding

Men, Machines, and Modern Times

Elting Elmore Morison

TripwireBook binding

Tripwire

Lee Child

A Splendid ExchangeBook binding

A Splendid Exchange

William J. Bernstein

The Printing Revolution in Early Modern EuropeBook binding

The Printing Revolution in Early Modern Europe

Elizabeth L. Eisenstein

On the BusBook binding

On the Bus

Paul Perry, Ken Babbs

Three New PeopleBook binding

Three New People

Brian Miller

AnimalBook binding

Animal

Lisa Taddeo

Travels in SiberiaBook binding

Travels in Siberia

Ian Frazier

CrudoBook binding

Crudo

Olivia Laing

Quartet in AutumnBook binding

Quartet in Autumn

Barbara Pym

Take your reading experience to the next level

Download our mobile app to enjoy your favorite books on the go. Get access to exclusive features, offline listening, and personalized recommendations.

Download on the App Store

Book Collections you might like →

Ryan Holiday's Book Recommendations

Ryan Holiday's Book Recommendations

Ryan Holiday is a bestselling author and media strategist known for his books on stoicism, including The Obstacle Is the Way and Ego Is the Enemy. He is a leading voice in modern stoic philosophy, teaching readers how to apply ancient wisdom to achieve personal and professional success. Holiday’s work emphasizes resilience, discipline, and humility as keys to navigating life’s challenges. He has consulted with major companies and individuals on marketing and strategy, blending stoic principles with contemporary business practices. His books have been translated into over 30 languages.

View Collection
Bret Victor's Book Recommendations

Bret Victor's Book Recommendations

Bret Victor is a renowned American interface designer and computer scientist celebrated for his innovative contributions to interactive design and human-computer interaction. He is best known for creating dynamic, explorable explanations, which have significantly influenced the way educational content is presented and understood. Victor's seminal work, "Inventing on Principle," advocates for the integration of immediate feedback in creative processes, inspiring a new wave of interactive programming environments. As a former member of the Apple Human Interface team, he played a pivotal role in shaping modern user interfaces. Through his organization, Dynamicland, Victor continues to explore and expand the boundaries of immersive, collaborative computing environments.

View Collection
Marc Andreessen's Book Recommendations

Marc Andreessen's Book Recommendations

Marc Andreessen is an American entrepreneur, software engineer, and venture capitalist, best known for co-creating the Mosaic web browser, the first widely-used web browser, and co-founding Netscape. Andreessen is also the co-founder of Andreessen Horowitz, one of Silicon Valley’s most prominent venture capital firms, where he invests in groundbreaking technology companies like Facebook, Airbnb, and Coinbase. He is a thought leader on the impact of technology and innovation, often sharing his views on the future of the internet and startups. His contributions to the development of the web and the tech ecosystem have made him one of the most influential figures in technology.

View Collection
Andrew Chen's Book Recommendations

Andrew Chen's Book Recommendations

Andrew Chen is a venture capitalist, entrepreneur, and thought leader in growth marketing, currently serving as a general partner at Andreessen Horowitz. Chen is known for his expertise in network effects, viral growth strategies, and marketplace dynamics, making him a sought-after advisor for startups looking to scale. Prior to joining Andreessen Horowitz, he worked in leadership roles at Uber, helping to grow the ride-sharing platform’s user base and develop key growth strategies. Chen is also a prolific writer, sharing his insights on growth, technology, and startups through his popular blog and newsletter, which has attracted a loyal following in the tech community. His work has helped shape how many startups approach user acquisition, retention, and product-market fit. As a venture capitalist, Chen focuses on early-stage companies in the consumer internet, SaaS, and marketplace sectors, and he has been involved in funding and advising several successful startups. His insights on technology and growth continue to influence both founders and investors alike.

View Collection
Brad Feld's Book Recommendations

Brad Feld's Book Recommendations

Brad Feld is a prominent American entrepreneur, venture capitalist, and author known for his influential work in the startup ecosystem. Co-founder of the Foundry Group, he has played a pivotal role in funding and mentoring early-stage technology companies. Feld is also a key figure behind the Techstars accelerator program, which has helped launch numerous successful startups. As an author, he has penned several essential books on entrepreneurship and venture capital, including "Venture Deals" and "Startup Communities," which provide invaluable insights for aspiring entrepreneurs and investors. His writings and active blogging have cemented his reputation as a thought leader in the tech and startup communities.

View Collection
Elon Musk's Book Recommendations

Elon Musk's Book Recommendations

Elon Musk is an influential entrepreneur and innovator known for founding and leading several groundbreaking companies, including Tesla, SpaceX, Neuralink, and The Boring Company. He has played a pivotal role in advancing electric vehicles, space exploration, and renewable energy. Musk's vision extends to colonizing Mars and reducing the risk of human extinction through space travel. In addition to his technological contributions, he has co-authored the book "Spacex: Making Commercial Spaceflight a Reality," providing insights into his ambitious projects and vision for the future. Musk's relentless pursuit of innovation continues to shape the trajectory of multiple industries.

View Collection
Bill Gates's Book Recommendations

Bill Gates's Book Recommendations

Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft Corporation, is a pioneering figure in the tech industry, having played a key role in the personal computer revolution. His work at Microsoft, particularly the development of Windows, transformed software and computing globally. Beyond his technology contributions, Gates is also a prolific author, with notable works such as "The Road Ahead" and "Business @ the Speed of Thought," which offer insights into the future of technology and business. Additionally, his philanthropic efforts through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation have had a profound impact on global health, education, and poverty. Gates continues to influence both technology and literature with his forward-thinking perspectives and innovative ideas.

View Collection
Brian Cox's Book Recommendations

Brian Cox's Book Recommendations

Brian Cox is a Scottish actor and director, best known for his roles in films like Braveheart and Adaptation, as well as for his portrayal of media mogul Logan Roy in the hit HBO series Succession. Cox is renowned for his commanding screen presence and his ability to convey complex, often morally ambiguous characters. He has had a distinguished career in both film and theater, earning numerous awards, including a Golden Globe for his performance in Succession. In addition to his acting work, Cox is a vocal advocate for arts education and has been involved in various charitable initiatives. His longevity and versatility have made him a respected and influential figure in the entertainment industry.

View Collection
Austen Allred's Book Recommendations

Austen Allred's Book Recommendations

Austen Allred is an influential entrepreneur and author, best known for his contributions to the education technology sector. He co-founded Lambda School, a groundbreaking online coding bootcamp that offers deferred tuition and has revolutionized access to tech education. In addition to his entrepreneurial ventures, Allred is the author of "The Grassfed Startup," which provides insights into building sustainable businesses. His innovative approach to education has earned him recognition as a thought leader in the tech industry. Allred continues to inspire with his commitment to making high-quality education accessible to all.

View Collection
Ben Horowitz's Book Recommendations

Ben Horowitz's Book Recommendations

Ben Horowitz is a prominent American entrepreneur, investor, and author, best known for co-founding the venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz. He made significant contributions to the tech industry through his leadership roles at Netscape and as co-founder of the software company Opsware, which was later acquired by Hewlett-Packard. Horowitz is celebrated for his insightful business book, "The Hard Thing About Hard Things," which provides candid advice on the challenges of entrepreneurship. His follow-up book, "What You Do Is Who You Are," explores the importance of company culture in business success. Horowitz's works are highly regarded for their practical wisdom and have influenced countless leaders in the tech and business communities.

View Collection

The telegraph is the first glimpse we have of a technology that allows for instantaneous communication over vast distances, an invisible thread connecting minds across time and space.

The Victorian Internet

By Tom Standage

Frequently Asked Questions