Learning From the Class

    The Homing Pigeon 

  

    There were a lot of great presentations on Thursday, the first of February, and everyone seemed well prepared if at least not slightly. The one that I felt peaked my interest the most, and probably others as well, was the history of the homing pigeon. The presentation was filled with both logos and pathos and was really well done, with no note cards, straight from the memory, it was very impressive.

What I learned

    First I learned about the timeline of carrier pigeons, when they were used and how they were used. Recording as being used as early as 3000 BCE in Ancient Egypt to send messages. As they evolved the next notable spot on the timeline was in 1167 when they were used to send messages along the Baghdad/Syria Route. In 1860 they are used by Paul Reuters as a way to bring messages between Brussels and Aachen, faster than the railroad. In 1897 they are used for the Great Barrier Pigeon-gram Service. I also learned about some pigeons and their use in major events such as both World Wars. Also their use in Indias Police forces and some even being used today to smuggle things into prison. There was also the story of Cher Ami, who was one of many pigeons deployed in WWI, who was able to save men who were being fired upon by their own brothers unknowingly. Cher Ami was able to take a hit, and with his carrier leg dangling, delivered the news to cease fire and that they were firing upon their own men. He saved the lives of many men and was rightfully honored. 

   It was fascinating to learn about this mode of media and how important they were, especially back then. It's ashame to see the way they have fallen from grace, now only serving the government for espionage.