From the early 18th century, soon after the modern newspapers evolution, the very first dating or matrimonial services began to appear. These services provided opportunity for young single men and women to find partners by means of advertising in the newly born media format. At this point in time, being single and over 21 years of age carried with it a negative imputation and turning to a matrimonial service was seen as a final act of hopelessness. Despite the perceived stigma attached to these services, large numbers of the single population from 18th century society discovered love in this way, even though it was considered a disgrace.
These matrimonial services from the 18th century are seen to be the birthing point of modern-day Internet Dating as it is thought to be the first known unity of technology and dating. A little further down the time line newspapers would also come to provide personal advertisements that operated outside the sphere of the pairing service offered by matrimonial businesses. With the advent of telephony in the early 1900's singles were able to make direct contact for the first time.
The concept of Introductory Services evolved both pre and post World War 2. These services swiftly became known as "Lonely Hearts Clubs". It's a well recorded fact that Bob Hope once said in the early 1950's, "I once sent my photograph to a Lonely Hearts club and they sent it back saying, thanks but we are not that lonely". The social stigma associated with the Lonely Hearts Club lasted nearly as long as Bob Hope himself and was the butt of many comedians' jokes, which of course gave the dating industry in general an image that only desperate and lonely people joined such clubs. Despite the tainted image these Introductory Services became increasingly popular, especially post 1945 when service men from around the world returned home.
The evolution continued in the 1970's when VHS technology delivered the revolutionary video dating process. This led finally to the introduction of the Internet, that has now delivered us the most dramatic leap forward in the form of Online Dating.
The use of the Internet to facilitate dating services should come as no surprise. The unlimited resource and power of the web makes perfect sense for those seeking relationships. Not only does the Web allow us to find potential partners in localized areas, it also allows us to see, hear and discover a tremendous amount of information about these individuals. Internet services such as images, video, audio and collated databases of personal information suggest that the Web is not just a new way to meet a potential partner, but an incredibly efficient means to do so.
Despite the advances though it is fair to suggest that the stigma associated with singles pairing is not lost on the services of Internet Dating. The notion of meeting a partner or even a potential spouse online is in some circles seen as a sign of desperation. With the rapid rise in popularity of the Online Dating medium that stigma is slowly dispersing. As more and more people find love online the less this forum will be seen by society as tainted.
As Online Dating grows in popularity, greater numbers of individuals will be willing to try it out and seek happiness through what is sure to become the most popular way to meet a partner.
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