[3] One early reference to slam books can be found in the November 18, 1928 issue of The Central New Jersey Home News where it was reported as a new fad among New Brunswick high school students.
"Psychology, industry, and the ghastly exposure to the late war have changed [the Victorian era's faux veneer of sentimentality and taboos].
It was billed as a "kinder and gentler" slam book for teens and pre-teens with the goal of encouraging them to think and communicate, write and express themselves.
[11] Some point to slam books as the analog precursor to anonymous trolling and negative social interactions on Twitter and Facebook.
"Passing handwritten notes or 'slam books' has since been replaced with online tools such as IM, websites, blogs, cell phones, etc.