You Think It's Tough

People are finding ways to use new technology, as soon as it's developed, to aid their love lives.  Thanks to some key developments in human history, long-distance couples now have it easier than ever.

The Evolution of Long-Distance Relationships 
In Helvetica because it's awesome.


1. The Hunter Gatherer Couple
Neanderthal men leave for hunting expeditions for a period of time.  This period of time takes up a large percentage of their short lives.  This completely cuts into precious moments in their roughly 30-year lifespan.  


2. The Ancient War-Torn Couple
Since the dawn of civilization, war has come between couples for stretches of time.  Today's war-torn couples can chat virtually, but think of the life before Skype.  Patience was a virtue.


3.  The Postal Couple
The very first postal service was developed around 900 BC in China.  Couples everywhere had a way to communicate - a very slow way to communicate.


4.  The Homing Pigeon Couple
Sometime around 770 BC, and I can't be held accountable for wrong dates, homing pigeons were used to send messages in Ancient Greece.  Long-distance lovers had access to airborne couple communication.  Opa!  


5. The Papyrus Couple
No homing pigeons necessary.  Sometime around 500 BC, papyrus scrolls provided a light and portable way to communicate.


6.  The Photo Sharing Couple V. 1
Sometime around 1827, photography was invented (camera obscura).  After this time, couples were able to cherish and share images of their long-distant loved ones.


7.  The Telegraphy Couple
The long-distance telegraph invented in 1837 helped long-distance couples reach each other in a shorter amount of time than the postal service.  Thank you Samuel Morse.


8.  The Pony Express Couple

I crack myself up.  By the 1860s, the pony express was bringing mail to all parts of the United States.  Long-distance couples enjoyed a more reliable, I guess, way of sending love letters.


9.  The Telephony Couple
The invention of the telephone revolutionized long-distance relationship communication.  Actually, it revolutionized communication for everyone, so moving on.


10.  The Movie Night Couple
This is legit.  With a phone in one hand and a remote in the other, couples coordinate their VCRs to sync up.  Long-distant movie night is born!


11.  The Mobile Couple
In 1973, Martin Cooper made the first analogue phone call.  Thanks, now long-distance lovers don't have to wait at home for phone calls.  They can carry their phone in their over-sized purses, or in their lockers - Zack Morris style.


12.  The AIM Couple
The internet brings an entire new level to the long-distance relationship.  Instant messaging helped keep couples up to the wee hours and distracted at work.


13.  The Text Crazy Couple
God bless unlimited texting.  Now apologize to Martin Cooper for his hard work making a phone call on the first analogue phone because we don't talk on the phone anymore.  Communicating without a full phone conversation becomes habit for the text-crazed couple.


14.  The Social Networking Couple
Enter Facebook.  Social networks give couples to communicate within a virtual circle (Hello Google+).  This also allows couples to have access to viewing each others profiles and activities - taking stalking to a new level.


15.  The Photo-Sharing Couple
This takes texting to a new level.  Now couples can share with pictures - good or bad.


16.  The Web Phone Couple
Internet-based phone conversations allow couples to have longer, uninterrupted, no cost communication.


17.  The Gaming Couple
I don't even understand.


18.  The Multimedia Couple
The days of syncing are gone.  This allows couples to combine video chat with games, photos, videos, and more.  


19.  The Webcam Couple
Skype = Long-distant relationship gold.  This is an indispensable tool that keeps relationships afloat.

And when all else fails, find someone near by.  If you think it's tough, refer back to #1.