1. The Historical Path of Global Communication
By
Abid Zafar
Fall 2014
Global Communication
International Islamic University Islamabad
Introduction
Since from the last 3000 years communication across distances had had been the part of
communication. From the start, it was a difficult task for all the peoples of the world who had
to face lot of problems in their lives. Different courier systems, mythical images, postal
system were the part of communication. In middle ages, there was a system of papermaking.
Maps were used for different keys and for unlocking unknown worlds. In China and Egypt,
there were great numbers of people who had adopted this system. The people of olden times
were not more violent, feared from their enemies. Communication across the boundaries had
been started when traders decide to enhance their trade with other nations. With the passage
of time, Greek and Arab philosophers and mathematicians introduced rational models of
knowledge after the mythical beliefs become popular and perceived that “world is a
measureable space”. At that time, Arab ships did many trips from Persian Gulf to China by
sea routes for trade. After the emergence of printing press, Papermaker work was shifted to
press and world of intellectual and social literacy had been improved. During the mid of the
19th century, there was international electric revolution had been emerged and telegraph,
telephone and wireless radio were introduces and at the end of 20th century, world has had
been become a global village. Internet, Emails, telephone, media and social media had
changed the trends with modernism and postmodernism.

2. Geographical Space: A Barrier to Communication
Khetarpal.V. andSehgal.K (2006) said that geographical space was a great barrier in middle ages. The
people had to travel mountains, beaches and seas and the people of this world afraid of this. In the olden times,
geographical spaces were the great barriers in global communication. Rivers, mountains and seas
were considered great barriers in the way to communicate with other nations. Courier system by
ancient China and Egypt was a great revolution in communication among nations. People used
fire and beacon at the top of the mountains for communication. People tried to draw mythical
picture for reminding the history as well as for effective communication. But after the
technology has been advanced, there is no barrier in the field of communication. World enters in
a globalized village.
Geography and the Mythical World
Vico (1725) organized Roman and Greeks literature and said, these people were limited
in few miles areas with metaphysical beliefs. The people of the olden times were limited in few
square miles. Travel was unpractical in those days and people had to believe some magical and
supernatural ideas. According to them, foreign lands were the frightening places. World had
grasped through maps and metaphysical images which were designed by marines. Attila, king of
Medieval Huns (353-406 C.E.) used this psychological power of mythical beliefs against his
enemies. These stories were much pronounced in uneducated classes and the people believed in
it.
Ancient Encounters of Societies and Cultures
Greek and Arab philosophers and mathematicians introduced rational models of
knowledge after the mythical beliefs become popular and perceived that “world is a measureable
space”. In the 4th century, Greek explorer ‘Pytheas’ sailed towards Spain, France and British
regions. His name was known as the earliest astronomical and mariner for many decades.
Alexander stretched the European boundaries worldwide. His empire covered Egypt, Balkans,
Asia and Ganges River in India.
Global Explorers: Migrants, Holy People, Merchants
Hyeong D.M. (2010) Pilgrimage was a form of traveling in middle ages where people
spent their lives to visit shrines and holy places. The people believed in those that they can get
the forgiveness of their sing by the friendship of saints. Before 2000 C.E in Europe, migration
was the way to spend their lives by changing climates and for food requirements but after the
improvement in farming, people settles in fertile lands permanently by confronting war. Same
was the situation with holy people and merchant who explored new land for selling their
products.

3. Mapmakers in the Medieval World
Mapmaking was an essential part of communication history. Maps were used for
different keys and for unlocking unknown worlds. After the invention of printing press, maps did
great help in finding ancient data, in which travels, adventures and pilgrims were important
including Columbus’s long journey which had been secured on charts. Mapmaking also
implemented by European powers for buildings. Marines were hired for drawing these maps.
Inventors: Signals and Semaphores
The people of olden times used many ways to invent signal technology for
communicating at long distances. Roman (26-37 C.E.) from Island of Capri, Heliograph was
introduced ‘an apparatus for signaling by means of a moveable mirror which reflects flashes of
sunlight, Greek historian said, there were 111 couriers rely stations between Sardis and Susa and
the distance of these couriers was 1800 miles. It was known as Cyrus courier system (Bellerby,
R. 2010). In 13th century, Morcopolo described relay system by Mongols. Each station was at 25
to 30miles distance and 250 to 500 miles/day distances were covered with 400 horses. Mongols
ruler Genghis Khan used pigeons for courier system in 12th century.
The Printing Press, Literacy and the Knowledge Explosion
Diversity of the intellectual and cultural life created a marketplace ripe for information,
stimulating the spread of literacy in Europe after the development of the printing press. After the
development of printing press in Europe, Diversity in intellectuals and cultural life emerged a
market place of information and literacy. In the mid of 19th century, Mergenthaler introduced a
printing machine of molten metal which set lines and columns. It was a great revolution in
globalization of communication.
Scientists and International Networks
The first innovation in the field of international communication was telegraph. After the
invention of telegraph, isolated countries emerged as global networks. With the passage of time,
electric telegraph followed by Telephone and Wireless Radio and emerged a social revolution in
information age. For overcome the conflicts among nations, International organizations were
organized and the 1st International organization was establishes in 1851 with the name of
“Central Commission for The Navigation of Rhine”. This was great achievement of the scientists
who were working for technological advancements.
The International Electric Revolution
The international electric revolution emerged at the start of 19th century with the
invention of steam boat “Savannah” (1819) which crossed the Atlantic coast created revolution
in international communication. The second was steam railway which emerged in 1830 by
England. After 45 years, Graham Bell introduced Telephone in 1876 and scattered the world.

4. After the invention of telephone, world came more close to one another. First phone was sold to
Western Union Telegraph Company for $100,000.
Edison developed ideas for wireless transmission which were sold to Marconi and the First trans-
Atlantic radio signal was received in 1901. De forest 1959, the father of Radio did great
advancements in sounds by using vacuums tubes. His dream to social use of Radio was based on
the transmissions to marines at sea as a kind of musical beacon.
The Internet World (It’s a small world)
Siochru, O.S. (2004) after the emergence of internet, the world has become a global
village like a small town. Electronic Media, Print Media, Advertising, Advertisements and Social
Media and other technologies have scattered the world. Media and communications have played
a vital role in the transformation of social, cultural, and political structures. It’s known as a small
world in 21st century.
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