Telecommunications History

Telecommunications History

„X 1844 - 1st Public Telegraphy Display

Samuel F.B. Morse demonstrates the first public telegraph message from Washington to Baltimore, Ў§What Hath God Wrought.ЎЁ This was the beginning of telecommunications in America.

„X 1845 - Samuel F.B. Morse forms Magnetic Telegraph Co.

Samuel F.B. Morse organizes the first telegraph company to offer telegraph service to the general public.

„X 1856 - Western Union Formed

New York and Mississippi Valley Printing Company is reorganized and reincorporated to enter the telegraph business - now a thriving industry.

„X 1866 - Western Union becomes dominant telegraph company in the U.S.

„X 1876, February 14th, Elisha Gray files patent

„X 1876, March 10th, Ў§Watson, come here, I need you!ЎЁ

„X 1876, Fall - Western Union offered Bell patents for $100,000.

The offer was considered frivolous by Western Union management, and refused. Probably the biggest mistake in the history of the organization.

Telecommunications History

„X 1877 - July 9th, Bell Telephone Company Formed

„X 1878 - January 28th, First telephone exchange

First telephone exchange was formally opened, allowing 21 customers to reach each other by means of a central switchboard. The switchboard was operated by boys, and later by more polite and courteous women.

„X 1878 - Western Union Enters Field

„X 1879 - November 10, Bell Wins Patent Suit

„X 1879 - March 13, National Bell Formed

New England Telephone and Bell telephone consolidated under the name National Bell Telephone Company.

„X 1880 - February 20, American Bell Formed

Less than a year later, another change occurs. „X 1880 - American Telephone & Telegraph Formed

To build and operate long distance facilities and provide a cohesive plan for nationwide telephone service, AT&T is formed as a subsidiary of American Bell Telephone.

„X 1881 - Western Electric Purchased by Bell

To provide standardized equipment of high quality and have a central source of supply, American Bell purchases the Western Electric Hawthorne Plant in Chicago. Western Electric will produce products exclusively for American Bell.

„X 1892 - Automated Switchboard invented

Almon B. Strowger invents automated switchboard. He was an undertaker who was upset that all the business in his area went to his competitor, the husband of the operator of the exchange switchboard.

„X 1900 - AT&T becomes parent company

AT&T absorbs Bell, running various operations through newly-established, wholly-owned subsidiaries.

Telecommunications History

„X 1909 - AT&T buys control of Western Union

AT&T continues buying Western Union stock and takes control of the company.

„X 1913 - December 19th, Kingsbury Commitment

Justice Department informs AT&T it is close to violating the Antitrust Act. AT&T agrees to divest all Western Union stock, refrain from further telco acquisitions, and allow interconnection.

„X 1917 - Bell Labs Established

Bell Labs designed to develop the highest quality products and services for the AT&T. Since 1917, Bell Labs has created at least 1 patent a day for every day in existence.

„X 1918 ЎV July, U.S. Government takes over AT&T

Due to the impending war in Europe, Congress passes a joint