History of spamming

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“SPAM” a 19th Century Problem In the late 19th Century Western Union allowed telegraphic messages on its network to be sent to multiple destinations. Up until the Great Depression wealthy North American residents would be deluged with nebulous investment offers. … Read More

Origin of the term “confidence trick”

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Though dishonesty for financial gain had existed long before, the specific term “confidence man” was first coined in 1849 by the New York Herald to describe the deceptions of William Thompson. Thompson, dressed in genteel fashion, would approach wealthy New … Read More

History of playing cards

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Early history The origin of playing cards is obscure, but it is almost certain that they began in China after the invention of paper. Ancient Chinese “money cards” have four “suits”: coins (or cash), strings of coins (which may have … Read More