The original network neutrality problem

From History of the Public Switched Telephone Network:

  • 1884
    • AT&T is incorporated as a subsidiary of American Bell
    • Bell Telephone creates the first long distance connection from Boston to New York City
  • 1891
    • Almon Strowger receives patent for his automated electromechanical call switching device
      “No longer will my competitor steal all my business just because his wife is a BELL operator.”
  • 1899
    • AT&T buys out American Bell assets.
    • Cleyson Brown founds Bell System competitor Brown Telephone (eventually becomes Sprint)

Somehow that comment seems relevant given the current net neutrality debate.

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