We’ve all likely heard of a singing telegram, and if we’re really lucky, we may have even experienced one! The history  is quite interesting, and since we’re still trying to keep this wonderful service alive almost 100 years after it was first introduced, we thought it would be beneficial to provide a quick history lesson!

What is a Singing Telegram?

Just in case you need a refresher on what a singing telegram actually is, it’s a message that is typically delivered by an artist to someone in musical form. Singing telegrams are often humorous, and the artist delivering the telegram is often in costume.

When Was the First Singing Telegram Sent?

Western Union, the company that sent normal telegrams for hundreds of years actually started offering singing telegram services in 1933. On July 28, 1933, a raving fan sent a singing telegram to Rudy Vallee who was a famous Hollywood star and the service was born. Western Union decided to continue to offer this service because telegrams had historically been associated with more somber events such as deaths or other sad news.

Because phones weren’t prevalent in the 1930’s, most telegrams, including those of the singing variety, were typically delivered in person. As the phone become more popular, telegram usage began to wane in the 1960’s and 1970’s.

Western Union suspended their singing telegram service in 1974, and actually tried to resurrect the service in 2011 by sending audio messages from a lineup of artists, but the service has since been shut down as well. Thankfully there are still a number of independent companies like Nationwide Balloons that continue to keep the dream of the singing telegram alive and well!

Why Choose to Have a Singing Telegram Delivered?

There are a whole host of reasons why you may want to use a singing telegram to get your message across. Below are just a few of the reasons our customers look to Nationwide Balloons for our services:

  • Humorous – With so much of today’s communication happening by email, or over the phone, singing telegrams allow you to send a humorous message to someone in person. That personal touch is sure to generate a smile and a few laughs, which we all need more of, right?
  • Fun for Special Events – Maybe you’re planning an intricate proposal, or anniversary celebration and are looking for something that the recipient is sure to remember. A singing telegram will no doubt be memorable and it can give you a chance to show someone how you feel about them in a funny, but sincere fashion.
  • Choose a Costume That Reminds You of the Recipient – Because most singing telegrams are delivered in costume, you can really make the day of the recipient by having the artist dress up in a costume that matches the recipient’s interests. Maybe the recipient is a nurse, or fire fighter and would really enjoy being serenaded by someone dressed up similarly. Or, maybe you want to get really creative and have the artist dress up as a chicken, or even a gorilla!

Ready to Schedule a Singing Telegram?

At Nationwide Balloons, we offer our services in most states within the US. Feel free to reach out to our team today to make sure that we can deliver a singing telegram to your friend or loved one. Call us at 800-886-7464 for more information about our singing telegram services.