ABSTRACT
Ninety-four years ago things looked rather different. In theory aircraft were fast: in practice they were irregular, prone to frequent accidents and expensive. They also had another disadvantage: no night flights. Compared with such inadequacies, the railways only showed advantages, as noted by postes, télégraphes et telephones, the French public administration of postal services and telecommunications in 1919:
No doubt they are slower on paper but they are regular, safe and inexpensive. Above all, they travel through the night, this enchanted period beloved of postmen, which allows them to sort mail while their customers sleep.
