Early on April 1st, 30 years ago, a gentleman with a grand sense of humor by the name of David Waitzman from Cambridge, Massachusetts, wrote and published a document to the Internet development world entitled "A Standard for the Transmission of IP Datagrams on Avian Carriers" and referred to as RFC1149. The concept embodied in this proposal of using pigeons as carriers for the transportation of IP packets was totally preposterous but was greeted appropriately within that community given the timing of its release.

For those unaware of the workings within this development community, the Internet has and still is developed to this day collaboratively using a process by which proposals, Requests for Comments or RFCs, are written and published to the community at large, seeking input and possible adoption into the operating system. Not all RFCs are adopted and many are forgotten forever. David Waitzman had no idea that RFC1149 would not be one of them.

Now, 30 years later, on that very same day, RFC1149 - "A Standard for the Transmission of IP Datagrams on Avian Carriers" has been memorialized with a professionally designed, officially registered, already woven Scottish Tartan known as the Avian Carrier Tartan, Registered # 12733.



If you take a close look at the tartan, you will be able to see the pigeon traversing the depths of cyberspace, hopefully carrying a collection of IP datagrams with it.

Simultaneously released this same day is a range of stylish clothing and accessory products made with or incorporating this tartan. Included in the range are scarves, capes, wraps and other accessories. Custom-made items such as kilts are also available by order.

Thanks to the combined efforts of a couple of Internet development supporters with an equally passionate interest in the Scottish culture, RFC1149 is destined never to be forgotten.

The full range of Avian Carrier Tartan products are displayed here and exclusively available worldwide through Rablogan of Scotland.