Timeline Filter by: Decade or Famous Calls The Network The Business
Early tech | Electronics | Wireless | Digital | Operators | Cables and wires | Exchanges | Phreaking/Hacking | Dialing | Switching | Telegraph | Wired Tech | Office systems | Payphones | Data services | Line workers | Operations
First Strowger automatic exchange opens (in LaPorte, Indiana)
First Strowger automatic exchange opens (in LaPorte, Indiana)
1892
First dial telephones introduced
1901
Bell system introduces rotary dialing, and the dial candlestick
Bell system introduces rotary dialing, and the dial candlestick
1919
Dial phones spread to major cities
1920
Salvador Dali makes dial compact for Elsa Schiaparelli
Salvador Dali makes dial compact for Elsa Schiaparelli
1935
Introduction to the Dial Telephone (AT&T)
Introduction to the Dial Telephone (AT&T)
1936
Instructional film for operators
Instructional film for operators
1949
First direct-dialed transcontinental call
First direct-dialed transcontinental call
1951
Direct long-distance dialing begins
Direct long-distance dialing begins
1951
Now You Can Dial
Now You Can Dial
1954
Dialing the Nation (AT&T)
Dialing the Nation (AT&T)
1955
Queen Calls Edinburgh
Queen Calls Edinburgh
1958
Photo: Promo photo for area codes and direct dialing
Promo photo for area codes and direct dialing
1960
Touch-Tone dialing introduced
Touch-Tone dialing introduced
1963
AT&T introduces customer dialing of international calls
AT&T introduces customer dialing of international calls
1970
Japan achieves nationwide automatic telephone service
1977
Caller ID becomes widespread
Caller ID becomes widespread
1992