Western Union, which built the first transcontinental telegraph line in 1861, is a powerful brand with a leading 17% market share.

FORBES: Spinoffs

Such a prediction doesn't seem too risky, in line as it is with Friday's Belfast Telegraph survey.

BBC: Prediction game for UUP leadership contest

But what would he have made of the fundamental change in the Telegraph's operation, from being a simple newspaper to being a combination of paper and complex on-line production?

BBC: News - Today - The modern face of news