Before email, there was V-mail: The WWII program that scanned letters onto microfilm

Mashable

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Shortly after getting into World Conflict II, the USA army discovered that delivery and delivering immense volumes of mail to and from servicemen abroad can be a problem, particularly given the necessity to reserve cargo area for essential weapons and provides.

The answer, based mostly on the British Airgraph Service, was referred to as Victory Mail — V-Mail for brief.

The Eastman Kodak-designed service launched on June 15, 1942 and have become the first technique of communication between troopers on the entrance strains and household at house.

A V-mail letter can be written on a bit of standardized stationery, then photographed and transferred onto a roll of microfilm. Upon reaching its vacation spot, the letter can be blown again as much as a readable measurement and printed.

Every letter handed earlier than censors earlier than being photographed, and the method foiled the potential use of espionage instruments comparable to invisible ink and microprinting.

Utilizing the V-Mail course of, 1,600 letters could possibly be crammed onto a roll of movie the dimensions of a pack of cigarettes. 2,000 kilos of cargo turned 20, and 37 mail luggage turned only one.

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