In the heart of Berne, the Museum of Communication stands as a testament to the evolution of rapid communication and human connectivity. It houses one of the world's largest stamp collections, thanks to its close ties with the Universal Postal Union nested also in Berne.
The UPU, celebrating 150 years of ensuring global communication, and the museum, founded in 1907, share a rich history that mirrors the rapid development of communication technologies. Awarded the Council of Europe Museum Prize in 2019 as only the third museum in Switzerland, the Museum of Communication is celebrated for its innovative and interactive exhibits that underscore its exceptional impact in bringing history to life.
From telegraphs to smartphones: communication through ages
The journey of communication is a fascinating tale of transformation. Before the UPU's inception in 1874, the telegraph revolutionized global connectivity. For instance, the Indo-European telegraph line around the time of 1870 created a massive globalization boost. It reduced the delivery time of a message from London to Calcutta that took from over 30 days in 1850 to just 28 minutes. Something we would today call a disruption, this leap was an incredible acceleration of communication, setting the stage for future innovations.
The telephone followed closely, with networks emerging in the late 1870s shortly after the UPU’s creation. Although initially a luxury, the telephone gradually became an essential medium. In 1920s Switzerland, there were only three telephones per 100 people, highlighting its exclusivity. Concurrently, newspapers like the Neue Zürcher Zeitung were published three times daily until 1969. Meanwhile, radio began shaping the mass media landscape from 1920, alongside the development of televisions in the 1930s, which became a mass medium by the 1960s.
The 1950s saw the dawn of the computer age, with the electronic calculating machine of the Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zurich (ERMETH) marking Switzerland's entry into this new era. Over time, from the 1980s, computers shrank from room-filling machines to personal devices, transforming businesses and homes alike. The introduction of the Internet in the 1990s and smartphones in 2007, notably with Apple's iPhone, ushered in an era where digital communication became inseparable from daily life.
The PTT archives: a chronicle of Swiss communication and the UPU
The PTT archives, housed in the same foundation as the museum, chronicle the history of Swiss Post, Telegraphy and Telephony (PTT) from 1848 to 1997. With about 7,500 meters of archival and library documents, these archives offer invaluable insights into the evolution of communication. The common online database of the museum and the archive features over 400 entries on the UPU, including a photo collage of delegates from the founding congress in 1874, a letter from Laurenz Koschier requesting recognition of the first stamp, and architectural models for the Around the World monument, some of which were never realized.
Philatelic treasures: the legacy of stamps
Throughout its 150 years of history, the UPU has remained synonymous with the letter and stamp. The museum’s collection, enriched by contributions from UPU and its member states, includes several hundred thousand pieces out of a total of over three million stamps, making it one of the largest stamp collections in the world. This vast collection offers a glimpse into global postal history, with legendary pieces like the Basel Dove captivating visitors.
Stamp collecting, once a widespread hobby, continues to draw enthusiasts to the museum. The legendary Basel Dove and other rare stamps remain highlights of the museum's exhibits, bridging the past with the present. Years ago, the museum’s extensive collection became a major attraction, marketed as the “world’s largest public stamp collection”. This designation drew countless collectors eager to see the pieces that had been missing from their collections.
Today, stamps still remain part of the museum's exhibits, with the iconic Basel Dove still drawing in visitors. Meanwhile, the museum has expanded its thematic landscape to reflect the wide-ranging changes in communication. As technology has advanced, so too has the museum, adapting its exhibits to engage and educate modern audiences, ensuring it remains relevant in an age of digital innovation.
A modern museum experience: interactive and engaging
The Museum of Communication thrives on interactivity, blending education with entertainment. Its innovative exhibits, large video screens, interactive stations and communicative hosts ensure an engaging and playful experience for visitors to enter into the topics and spark deeper into their interest for exploration. This approach has significantly boosted visitor numbers, from 33,000 in 2003 to 128,000 in 2023. The museum's communicators add a personal touch, inviting visitors to engage with the exhibits, offering mini-tours and unlocking special features that make each visit unique. For instance, you can immerse yourself in the illusion of an extra floor on an elevator, even though the building doesn’t physically have one. Additionally, visitors can sit inside a historical postal bus, providing a tangible, hands-on experience that vividly brings the past to life.
The museum not only preserves these stories but continues to innovate, ensuring that the history of communication remains a lively, engaging and ever-evolving conversation. Through its exhibits and archives, the museum connects us with the past while guiding us into the future.
The Museum of Communication and the UPU together provide a comprehensive living narrative on the historical evolution of human connection. From the early days of telegraphs to today's digital conversations, their stories illustrate the profound impact of communication technologies on our world. As we celebrate their milestones, we are reminded of the ever-evolving nature of communication and its power to shape societies.
This article first appeared in Union Postale Autumn/Winter 2024.
The cover and homepage photos: Museum of Communication, Berne.