What effect does a medium for communication have on the content and experience of that communication? This is a very broad question, of which we will try to investigate a small part, by creating a medium that is very different from media we are used to.

When considering some old media, we were intrigued by Pigeon Post as a means to send messages. Pigeons naturally have a very good homing ability, meaning they can return back to their home from very far distances. When a pigeon is transported away from its home to another place, it can be set free from there with a message to its owner. Typically these messages were small letters tied around the foot.

Pigeon Post has a long and interesting history, and has been used to great effect in many important historical events. For example, already more than 2,200 years ago, Greeks used pigeon post to convey a message of whom had won the Olympic games.

Today, Pigeon Post is not a very popular way to communicate. We are used to being able to send and receive messages very quickly, from and to practically anyone we want.  Pigeon Post has certain obvious limitations in speed and size of the message. Also, the fact that one pigeon can only return to one location put a big limitation on the usability: if you want someone to be able to send you a message, you first have to provide them with a pigeon that will fly to your home. So what can we do with pigeon post today?

Pigeon Post Website

We thought it would be interesting to create a modern means of communication that is inspired by pigeon post: a website where you can give your own pigeon to someone, so they can send it back to you with a message, and receive someone else's pigeon and send it back to them. Of course, you will have to wait a while for the pigeon to fly back once it has been sent.

Why would it be interesting for anyone use this means of communication, when we can also send a quick Whatsapp-message? We think it might have an effect on communication that people could find enjoyable. First of all, there is much less rush and expectation of a quick reply in this setup than we are currently used to, because it takes some time for the pigeon to 'fly back' anyway. This allows for more thought on what you will write in your message. Besides this, the fact  you can give somebody your pigeon, implying you expect them to send you a message, adds playfulness and a new incentive to communication.

Implementation

The website basically has two user interface screens: a log-in screen and a home screen that displays pigeons. In the home screen, there is a space for your own pigeon, where you can see whether or not he is at home. If he isn't, you can see to whom you have given him. Pigeons others have given you are displayed with the e-mail address of the owner, and you can click these pigeons to give them a message and let them fly back to their owner.

When you receive a pigeon, you also receive an e-mail as a notifier.

As a user of the website, you currently only need to provide your e-mail address (which makes it a little unsafe, but also easy to use). We use a database in which each row represents a pigeon: once you have entered your e-mail address, you are registered as the owner of a pigeon. Of each pigeon it is also registered who is currently the holder. When you have not given your pigeon to anyone, you will be the holder, but once you give it to someone, this person will be the holder of your pigeon until he sends it back with a message.