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Pigeon Internet Packet Fetches $24,600 at Auction
16 Oct
Summary
- A printed internet data packet sent by pigeon sold for $24,600.
- The experiment was a 2001 proof of concept for pigeon-powered internet.
- The packet was part of an early internet 'artful hack' tradition.
A remarkable piece of internet history has been sold at auction: a printed data packet that traveled by pigeon. This artifact from a 2001 experiment fetched $24,600 at Christie's, far exceeding its initial estimate. The concept, humorously proposed as an April Fool's joke, was developed into a functional proof of concept using carrier pigeons.
The experiment, conducted by the Bergen Linux User Group, involved sending printed IP packets via nine racing pigeons over a 3-mile distance. This endeavor was a real-world test of RFC 1149, humorously titled 'A Standard for the Transmission of IP Datagrams on Avian Carriers.' The framed packet originated from network engineer David Waitzman, who proposed the concept in 2001.
This sale celebrates the 'artful hack' spirit of the early internet, characterized by its playful ingenuity and collaborative ethos. The successful bid underscores the enduring fascination with early internet experiments and unique historical tech artifacts.
