At the beginning of the 20th century, in the USA, barbed wire fences were used as telephone lines...
The article on Gizmodo explores the fascinating historical use of barbed wire fences as an early form of communication network. In the 19th century, farmers employed these rudimentary systems to connect different locations over long distances, essentially creating a DIY telephone network without the need for complex machinery. Instead of traditional telephone lines, these fences transmitted sounds, allowing people to relay messages in a clever way. Although this technology seems primitive compared to today's systems, it showcases humanity's ability to innovate and adapt to their circumstances. The article also discusses how communities utilized these connections, strengthening bonds in rural areas, enabling the first forms of neighborly communication that eventually led to the more developed telecommunication networks we rely on today.