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The first successful automatically switched rotary dial phone network

Updated: Aug 2, 2022

The inventor, Almon Brown Strowger was motivated because his undertaker business was losing clients to a competitor whose telephone operator wife was redirecting all calls for Strowger to her husband’s business. He formed the Strowger Automatic Telephone Exchange Company and installed and opened the first commercial exchange in his hometown of La Porte, Indiana on November 3, 1892, with about 75 subscribers and a capacity of 99. He sold his patents to his associates in 1896 for $1800 and sold his share in the Automatic Electric Company for $10,000 in 1898. His patents were subsequently sold to Bell Systems for $2.5 million in 1916!

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Incredible how the early days of the rotary dial phone paved the way for the complex, intelligent communication systems we rely on today. That first automatically switched network was a game-changer, setting a foundation for future innovation. It’s a reminder of how far we’ve come-and how essential it is to keep up with evolving technology in the workplace. That’s why companies like Duplicator Sales & Service are so valuable today-they help modern businesses stay ahead with smart office solutions, ensuring connectivity and efficiency continue to improve.

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The first successful automatically switched rotary dial phone network was a groundbreaking moment in communication history. It paved the way for future innovations in connectivity. Similarly, modern advancements like fieldwork software are revolutionizing industries today by streamlining processes and improving efficiency.

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It’s incredible to think how far communication tech has come—from rotary dial networks to today’s instant global connectivity. That kind of innovation laid the groundwork for modern solutions in so many industries. Just like how it inventory management software has revolutionized how businesses keep track of their hardware and tools—efficient, automated, and so much more reliable than manual logs. Progress really is a beautiful thing!

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