An American Dream is a short film covering the history of the telephone and the development of the Bell System. The film starts with a recap of the 1870s, a time of struggle for many in America, but also a time of innovation. In 1876, the telephone is invented by Professor Alexander Graham Bell (01:25). He believes that wires can connect everyone. Old silent films (02:02) of Bell and his associate Mr. Watson show the success of developing a telephone. However, many people dismiss Bell’s ideas and patents, and it isn’t until Theodore Newton Vail (02:57) joins the company in 1878, taking control of leadership, warding off patent infringements, and acquiring Western Electric, that the company takes off. Yet Vail doesn’t get the support he feels he needs, so he leaves the company. Bell’s patents expire and telephone companies proliferate the scene. In 1907, Vail joins AT&T (American Telephone & Telegraph) and convinces Bell and other companies to operate in exclusive areas, with a “One Policy, One System, Universal Service” motto. Equipment is standardized and operating companies are connected. In 1878, the switchboard is developed with operators connecting callers. Men put up telephone lines (05:22) throughout the U.S., and in 1915, the first transcontinental call between Bell, Watson, and Vail makes history. The introduction of coaxial cables allow for many more calls to be carried at the same time. Further developments include the first undersea cable (06:42) installed across Atlantic in 1956 and the 1960 launch of Echo 1 (07:18), followed by the launch of Telstar, the first international communications satellite. In less than a century, the telephone network has grown into a complex international system. Bell Labs (08:30) produces the transistor, and scientists work on wave guide transmissions. In 1934, the Federal Communications Act is passed to affirm the natural monopoly of the telephone industry, but that is challenged by the Justice Department in 1949 with an antitrust lawsuit, asking Western Electric to be separated. In 1956, the antitrust case is settled, confirming natural monopoly. But in 1974, the Justice Department brings another lawsuit against the Bell System, but the telephone industry and the people of the Bell System continue to work to provide people with services. On 27 February 1975, when a fire hits a switching center in New York City (11:05), the men and women in the industry plan and mobilize efforts to restore service as soon as possible. The film shows various people and jobs within the industry (12:00) before concluding with the mantra, “One Bell System . . . It Works.”
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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com
