Overview

The Museum of Independent Telephony was established in 1973 in honor of those men and women whose early efforts on behalf of Independent telephony continue to contribute to the social, political and economic health of today's suburban America.

Contact Information

412 South Campbell
Abbyville, Kansas 67410
United States

view phone (785) 263-2681

view website https://www.kansasheritage.org/abilene/telephony.html

Description

The original patents granted to Alexander Graham Bell in 1876 included exclusive rights to make and distribute telephone instruments and components for a period of 17 years. It was barely enough time to establish a foothold in major U.S. cities. By the time the patents had expired, people in small cities, towns and rural areas were clamoring for telephone service, too. As a result, nearly 6,000 non-Bell telephone companies, known as "Independents," came into being. Usually undermanned and almost always underfinanced, the Independent telephone companies survived the competitive wars largely through the loyalty, determination and inventiveness of their employees. While the number of Independent companies decreased as a result of many consolidations and mergers, several major national telecommunications companies have come from the ranks of the Independents. The January 1984 divestiture of American Telephone and Telegraph ended the distinction between Bell and Independent telephone companies. The telephone companies formerly known as Independents continue to serve half of the geographical area of the United States and about one out of five of the nation's telephones. The Museum of Independent Telephony was established in 1973 in honor of those men and women whose early efforts on behalf of Independent telephony continue to contribute to the social, political and economic health of today's suburban America.