It's quite fascinating that this was not only possible with 1800's technology, but formed the basis of a successful business: "Vacuum-tube amplification would not be developed until the 1910s, so there were limited means for producing signals strong enough to be heard throughout the system. Therefore, for transmitting the news, announcers with especially loud voices — known as stentors — were hired and instructed to speak as forcefully as possible into specially designed double-receivers."
Wikipedia also talks about their sub growth: "Telefon Hírmondó began operations in 1893 with 60 subscribers, a total that grew to 700 in 1894, 4915 in 1895, 7629 in 1899, around 6200 in 1901, and 15,000 by 1907...The annual subscription price of the service was 18 krones (the price of 10 kg sugar or 20 kg coffee in Budapest at that time)."
Claude says retail for 20kg of coffee is $360 today. Assuming that's accurate, it would be equivalent to a service today selling at $30 / month. Some quick research shows Netflix's most expensive Premium plan costs $25 / month.
It's pretty interesting that in 1893 they could run the business sustainably (it survived until radio) at essentially the same price point as modern day, given they were producing all their own content (all live) and providing customers with hardware. Although I suppose they weren't building completely from scratch, they were using the existing telephone network for the actual physical layer connectivity.
johnisgood•4h ago
I am Hungarian and "Telefon Hírmondó" translated to English is "Telephone News Teller" (or rather News-Teller, i.e. someone who is telling the news), not "Telephone Herald".
jhbadger•4h ago
That's what a herald is in the literal sense - someone who is telling the news. Of course these days it is generally used metaphorically.
holycrapwhodat•1h ago
The verb "to herald" means to be a sign of something that is imminent.
But the noun "herald" literally means "official who tells the news"
So this still definitely checks out.
johnisgood•1h ago
I have to be honest I have never heard of the word "herald" and I have been in many settings since I was a kid. I bet many natives are in my shoes.
csense•4d ago
Wikipedia also talks about their sub growth: "Telefon Hírmondó began operations in 1893 with 60 subscribers, a total that grew to 700 in 1894, 4915 in 1895, 7629 in 1899, around 6200 in 1901, and 15,000 by 1907...The annual subscription price of the service was 18 krones (the price of 10 kg sugar or 20 kg coffee in Budapest at that time)."
Claude says retail for 20kg of coffee is $360 today. Assuming that's accurate, it would be equivalent to a service today selling at $30 / month. Some quick research shows Netflix's most expensive Premium plan costs $25 / month.
It's pretty interesting that in 1893 they could run the business sustainably (it survived until radio) at essentially the same price point as modern day, given they were producing all their own content (all live) and providing customers with hardware. Although I suppose they weren't building completely from scratch, they were using the existing telephone network for the actual physical layer connectivity.