Uh why? Serial and parallel null modems ("LapLink cables") were commonplace. Data rates were 11.52kB/s over serial and 2-2.5 MB/s over parallel. Note that Wiki

Uh why? Serial and parallel null modems ("LapLink cables") were commonplace. Data rates were 11.52kB/s over serial and 2-2.5 MB/s over parallel. Note that Wikipedia attempts to revise history by claiming "LapLink cable" is only a parallel null modem cable when it meant any null modem cable.