Google is celebrating the 155th anniversary of the Pony Express mail delivery system with a game doodle taking the place of the usual Google logo on their search page.
Players will use the up and down cursor keys on their keyboard or clicks of their mouse on a computer, and swipes up and down with your finger on a mobile device, to pick up mail along the way, while dodging various obstacles and traps.
“The notion of triumph through adversity is so inspirational. So when William H.Russell, Alexander Majors & William B Waddell founded the Pony Express on April 3rd, 1860, they set in motion a wonderful yet daunting method of communication. What a concept–riders with letters on horseback racing from California to Missouri and vice versa to deliver mail on time! True to their word, the first mail arrived on April 14th.”
WHEW! 11 days to deliver a piece of mail. And we get antsy now when we don’t immediately get a reply in iMessage!
The oath sworn by Pony Express Riders was as follows:
“I, …, do hereby swear, before the Great and Living God, that during my engagement, and while I am an employee of Russell, Majors, and Waddell, I will, under no circumstances, use profane language, that I will drink no intoxicating liquors, that I will not quarrel or fight with any other employee of the firm, and that in every respect I will conduct myself honestly, be faithful to my duties, and so direct all my acts as to win the confidence of my employers, so help me God.”
Luckily, you’re not required to take the oath to play the game in the Google Doodle, as I have already uttered a few choice words and considered an adult beverage in just a few minutes of play time. Enjoy!
