AUGUST 2nd - Celebrate the Middle




On this day in 1858, the Postmaster of Boston, Nahum Capen, had 33 mailboxes installed around the
city. The idea had been implemented earlier and was improved upon later, so this wasn't especially
trailblazing. But it was noteworthy. Too often we forget about the the middle to commemorate the genesis
or celebrate the ending. The middle matters too. Mailboxes on street corners might not seem like a
big deal to you, with your magic phones and your SnapChats and Insta Stories, and your
sub-atomization of water soluble elements that can be sent instantly via aqueous-based 3D printers
(may have made that last one up), but I’m willing to bet that Tommy Reilly of Boston 1858 was pretty
pumped dere was a mail bowx down on his street cowna. Inventions are always improved upon.
Eventually your iPhone 10 that only opens when it scans your face, is gonna look stone-aged compared
to the iPhone 20 that will be able to diagnose your health, read your thoughts, and scan your soul. All
well and good. But progress is made in increments. You can’t get to the 10 without the 5. So celebrate
the 5. Celebrate the mail box. Celebrate the middle.

 This Day has been Marked.    

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