[InHam] 73 and Others

[N9TU]

Direct from ARRL Website -
73

The traditional expression "73" goes right back to the beginning of the
landline telegraph days. It is found in some of the earliest editions of the
numerical codes , each with a different definition, but each with the same
idea in mind--it indicated that the end, or signature, was coining up. But
there are no data to prove that any of these were used.

The first authentic use of 73 is in the publication The National Telegraph
Review and Operators' Guide, first published in April 1857. At that time, 73
meant "My love to you!" Succeeding issues of this publication continued to
use this definition of the term. Curiously enough, some of the other
numerals then used have the same definition now that they had then, but
within a short time, the use of 73 began to change.

In the National Telegraph Convention, the numeral was changed from the
Valentine-type sentiment to a vague sign of fraternalism. Here, 73 was a
greeting, a friendly "word" between operators and it was so used on all
wires.

In 1859, the Western Union Company set up the standard "92 Code". A list of
numerals from one to 92 was compiled to indicate a series of prepared
phrases for use by the operators on the wires. Here, in the 92 Code, 73
changes from a fraternal sign to a very flowery "accept my compliments,"
which was in keeping with the florid language of that era.

Over the years from 1859 to 1900, the many manuals of telegraphy show
variations of this meaning. Dodge's The Telegraph Instructor shows it merely
as "compliments." The Twentieth Century Manual of Railway and Commercial
Telegraphy defines it two ways, one listing as "my compliments to you;" but
in the glossary of abbreviations it is merely "compliments." Theodore A.
Edison's Telegraphy Self-Taught shows a return to "accept my compliments."
By 1908, however, a later edition of the Dodge Manual gives us today's
definition of "best regards" with a backward look at the older meaning in
another part of the work where it also lists it as "compliments."

"Best regards" has remained ever since as the
"put-it-down-in-black-and-white" meaning of 73 but it has acquired overtones
of much warmer meaning. Today, amateurs use it more in the manner that James
Reid had intended that it be used --a "friendly word between operators."
http://www.arrl.org/tis/info/history.html#73

-73-
Jerry, N9TU



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