The Internet before Computers

In·ter·net

/ˈintərˌnet/  A global computer network providing a variety of information and communication facilities, consisting of interconnected networks using standardized communication protocols.

We all think of the internet as a revolutionary construction of this past century, but if you take a step back, you'll find that it's not that new of an idea. While computers haven't been around that long, if you remove the word 'computers' from the above definition, you'll find examples throughout history of vast networks passing enormous amounts of information, and some that might even rival the social clout of Facebook.
    The very first examples of written language were in Mesopotamia, namely for trade and passing information between tribes, creating an network of commerce. Later, as conquerors expanded the scope of commerce beyond single continents, the need for more standardized communication networks became necessary. China developed bank notes during the Tang Dynasty, 7th century, to allow for trading in greater bulk without having to carry giant containers of coins or gold. The Knights Templar, apart from creating rumors and myths for movies like National Treasure, became a giant financial network for most of the wealth in Europe at its peak. A noble could turn property over to the order in Britain for a note, travel across the continent to Italy, and have that same note be recognized. So what is that? A network providing a  standardized means of communication across long distances and between different groups? Sounds familiar....
    Aside from financial networks, there were plenty of others as well. One of my favorites was that created by Joseph Fouche, intelligence director for Napoleon. It was said of his informant network "...that three men could not meet and talk indiscreetly about public affairs without the Minister of Police being informed about it the following day." Intelligence networks existed for most every army in the world. Napoleon also used a precursor to the telegram, the Semaphore. Later, the telegraph became an essential tool of the British Empire, connecting Britain to India, allowing communication all across the empire. 

     So they weren't exactly e-mail and twitter, but aside from speed, what was the main difference? They were essentially the same - a telegraph sent from England printed in the local papers had about the same effect as an online article shared on Google+, didn't it? I feel what makes our 21st century internet so revolutionary is its openness. At first, only nobles and politicians used the communication networks for national and business matters. Later, as technology advanced and made communication cheaper, more people were able to make use of the established networks, like sending telegrams or posting classifieds in newspapers. Computers didn't create the idea of global information networks, but they did change the way they worked. Only now, though, in the age of lap-tops and facebook, has communication become so cheap that something as worthless as meme pictures can be shared with the numberless masses. While increased usage has allowed for wider spread of information, it comes at the risk of a lowered standard of content. So in a way, perhaps the internet was better before computers? I don't think anyone ever had the problem of getting spam telegraphs.