Ever since the telegram service was started on December 25th 1869 (Meiji 2), telegrams have been used as an emergency means of sending messages. However, as telegraph became more widespread, the role of telegrams has changed towards "messages of the heart", with more than nine-tenths being used to mark the happy or sad occasions of life. The melody telegram not only contained the telegraphed message, but, on opening, played a light-hearted tune. The tune started when a light sensor operated a switch in a thin electronic music box attached to the mounting paper. Seven different tunes were available.

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