Remote on-line data processing and its communication needs
Nov. 10, 1965 [ Davies02.pdf ]
This note described a "store and forward" system for short messages. Donald Davies was aware of the security issues associated with on-line data processing. He wrote, "the security of the information is a problem, however, which leads to a subject of research:Security of data in doing business via a national network. (This refers to security against unauthorized access rather than against loss of data.)" in this note (ref. [1], Para. 6, Pg. 1).
It predicted that such a "short-message" data service would take over the telegraph and telex services and make them more convenient because the other applications would cover the cost of many more sets of terminal equipment.
He further adds in this note, "The interaction with the system might have to be simplified so that anyone used to the keyboard could send messages as well as operate his own specialized services". This suggests that he had proposed a system which could also provide messaging services similar to present day email.
Further speculations on data transmission Nov. 16, 1965 [ Davies03.pdf ]
This note appeared as a short supplementary note to Nov. 10, 1965 (ref. [1]) note which among other things listed 12 special facilities which a new network could provide. In his email (ref. [3]) to Prof. Chris Edmondson Yurkanan Davies wrote, "This note looked at some human factors issues and seems now to be a description of today's e-mail interfaces". Davies had proposed an interface similar to present day email service (Massachusetts engineer named Ray Tomlinson sent first electronic mail in late 1971).
