Definitely earlier than 1978!
BBN were one of the earliest into computers and networking. I'd be surprised if they *didn't* have email of some kind.
At the University of Alberta, the earliest email I recall was "SHOW:MAIL" running on the IBM/Amdahl mainframe under the MTS operating system. I don't know for sure, but I'd put that as first running by the early to mid 1970's. My memory isn't good, but I think the fellow who created the "SHOW" account was named Keith Fenske, and worked for the math department. I assume he wrote the MAIL program.
Biting the hand that feeds IT
