| Have you ever heard of William H. Russell? | | | | miles --and riders every 75 miles - across a |
| His company's name was Russell, Majors, and | | | | 2,000-mile route.Each rider rode 75 miles at |
| Waddell, and they hauled freight.Let's say | | | | a gallop. That's a long ride, especially |
| you want to ship some pots and pans across | | | | without power steering.Personally, I assumed |
| the country. If you contacted Russell's firm | | | | the Pony Express lasted a long time, but it |
| way back in 1860, they could give you a price | | | | survived only about 19 months. That's because |
| to put your stuff on a wagon, and take it | | | | in 1861 telegraph lines linked the country, |
| across the country by wagon train.This trip | | | | and made communications almost |
| could take weeks, and that's if there were no | | | | instantaneous.What does this story teach? |
| breakdowns. Maybe their slogan was something | | | | When it comes to communications, speed seems |
| like, "Need some merchandise today? It's just | | | | to win every time. The downside is that a |
| eight weeks away!"Obviously, the problem here | | | | hastily written message might arrive |
| is: If your wagon's held up, or if there's a | | | | inaccurate or incomplete.Even in the 21st |
| lousy winter, there's no telling when your | | | | century, it's better to get it right the |
| stuff will get delivered.That's when Mr. | | | | first time than to get it wrong quickly.Rix |
| Russell came up with the idea of express | | | | Quinn's new book "Words That Stick" offers |
| delivery for small goods and letters by Pony | | | | lots of writing techniques for both |
| Express. The company placed horses every 15 | | | | professionals and students. |