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Bulletin board

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A bulletin board is a specialized surface designed for posting messages. These surfaces allow people to share information with a specific group or the general public. Users might use them to advertise items for sale or to announce upcoming events. They also serve as a place for official notices and public information.

Drawing of a country store by Marguerite Martyn
Drawing of a country store by Marguerite Martyn

Because they facilitate communication, they are essential tools in many different settings. You will often find them in high-traffic areas like university hallways, lobbies, or dormitory corridors.

There are several different ways these boards function physically. Many traditional boards are made of cork to make adding or removing messages easy. A user can push a tack or pin into the cork to hold a paper in place. Some versions are combination bulletin boards, which include a writing surface like a whiteboard or blackboard.

infinite-corridor-bboard
infinite-corridor-bboard

Other types use magnets instead of pins. Magnetic bulletin boards are a popular substitute because they solve a specific problem. Over time, the constant insertion of pins can cause a cork board to deteriorate. Magnets allow for easy updates without damaging the board's surface.

Bulletin boards are particularly common in academic environments. At many universities, they help sports groups and extracurricular clubs stay connected. When official boards are not available, people often use impromptu posting sites. These might include lampposts, bollards, trees, or even walls. This shows how much communities rely on these surfaces to distribute information. In some cases, the boards are freestanding kiosks located in public spaces.

The concept of a public notice board is very old. In the 5th century BC, Ancient Athens utilized an official bulletin board called the Monument of the Eponymous Heroes. They used white boards known as leukomata to post temporary notices. These notices included legislation proposals, mobilization lists, and announcements of prosecutions.

infinite-corridor-bboard
infinite-corridor-bboard

Ancient Rome also used similar white boards, called tabula dealbata, for public notices. During the Middle Ages, the availability of paper changed how news was shared. People began using church doors as community bulletin boards to reach their neighbors.

Modern inventions have shaped the boards we see in offices today. In 1801, James Pillans invented the first modern blackboard while teaching in Scotland. Later, in 1925, George Brooks received a patent for using corkboard as a pinboard. His patent lasted until 1941, which allowed many others to market their own versions.

Drawing of a country store by Marguerite Martyn
Drawing of a country store by Marguerite Martyn

Other innovations followed, such as George E. Fox's 1940 patent for foam rubber pinboards. In 1959, W.F. Lewis patented a board that combined a chalkboard with a bulletin board.

In the modern era, bulletin boards have moved into the digital domain. Software developers Ward Christensen and Randy Suess launched the first public dialup bulletin board system in 1978. These digital versions are often called message boards or internet forums. They serve the same purpose as physical boards but are not limited by geography.

infinite-corridor-bboard
infinite-corridor-bboard

In 2010, Ben Silbermann, Paul Sciarra, and Evan Sharp founded Pinterest. This website acts as an online personal bulletin board for sharing photos and content. Digital signage also began to replace physical boards around 2010 to reduce clutter.

Today, the technology continues to evolve and merge. In 2017, a company called General Enchantment received a patent for a physical electronic bulletin board system. This system combines a physical surface for pinning or writing with an electronic display. It can use a tablet computer to run digital signage software. This allows users to augment traditional, analogue information with digital content. Whether physical or digital, these systems remain vital for connecting communities.

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File:infinite-corridor-bboard.jpeg
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File:Drawing of a country store by Marguerite Martyn.jpg
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