messaging

courtesy of the new york times

ingenuity of messaging 100 years ago required manufacturing prowess, daring do, and suitable weather conditions

One hundred years ago today, President Woodrow Wilson outlined his terms for an end to World War I in a speech meant to appeal to the war-weary people of America’s European foes.

American newspapers such as The Times printed the 14-point speech in full, but that did not mean the average German would get the message.

A few days later, a report in The Times documented efforts to spread the speech behind enemy lines, after Berlin threatened to execute pilots of planes distributing copies.

“What is now wanted is some kind of flying craft which will travel fifty to a hundred miles or more, dropping propaganda on the way,” The Daily Chronicle, a British paper, reported.

“Here is a chance for ingenious inventors to improve on the existing facilities for invading the enemy countries with moral munitions and scattering broadcast pamphlets, tracts and pictures.”