Table of Contents

FOREWORD.

PREFACE.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS.

PART I: INTRODUCTION AND PERIOD BEFORE 1800.

1. Introduction.

2. Evolution of Telecommunications Up to 1800.

3. Optical Telegraphy.

PART II: PERIOD FROM 1800 TO 1850.

4. Evolution of Telecommunications from 1800 to 1850.

5. Optical Telegraph Systems Worldwide.

6. Electrical Telegraphy.

PART III: PERIOD FROM 1850 TO 1900.

7. Evolution of Telecommunications from 1850 to 1900.

8. Electrical Telegraph Systems Worldwide.

9. Image Telegraphy.

10. Telephony.

11. Telephone Switching.

12. Radio Transmission.

13. International Cooperation.

PART IV: PERIOD FROM 1900 TO 1950.

14. Evolution of Telecommunications from 1900 to 1950.

15. Worldwide Telephone Penetration.

16. Electromechanical Telephone Switching.

17. High-Frequency Radio Transmission.

18. Phototelegraphy.

19. Teleprinters.

20. Copper-Line Transmission.

21. Radio-Relay Transmission.

22. Cryptography.

23. International Cooperation.

PART V: PERIOD FROM 1950 TO 2000.

24. Evolution of Telecommunications from 1950 to 2000.

25. Radio-Relay Networks.

26. Coaxial Cable Transmission.

27. Satellite Transmission.

28. Optical Fiber Transmission.

29. Electronic Switching.

30. Telex.

31. Telefax.

32. Cellular Radio.

33. Telephony and Deregulation.

34. Multimedia.

35. International Cooperation.

APPENDICES.

A. Chronology of the Major Events in the Two Centuries of Telecommunications.

B. Worldwide Statistics of Population, Internet Users, Cellular Phones, and Main Telephones.

C. Glossary.

INDEX.

About the Author

ANTON A. HUURDEMAN studied electrical engineering in Amsterdam and international business at Nyenrode University. He made a career in the exportation of telecommunications systems, working successively for Telefunken, ITT, and Alcatel. In 1992, he retired from his position as Transmission Product Manager at Alcatel headquarters in Paris to become an independent telecommunications author living in the Black Forest. He is married and has two children.

Reviews

"...a useful...reference and delightful to read." (IEEE Technology and Society Magazine, Spring 2005) "…those interested in the history of telecommunications, do not need to go through numerous publications anymore, this book provides the complete overview from optical telegraphy…to worldwide deregulation and multimedia." (translated from German) (Das Archiv, March 2005) "…the author describes how telecommunications led to the purchase of Alaska…and how ingenious pioneers created new applications, usually against strong opposition and troublesome patent suits…" (translated from German) (VCV Magazine, November 2004) "…for this feat of historical research…AAP recognized the book as the Outstanding Professional and Scholarly title in the History of Science in 2003." (The Institute, July 6, 2004) "...not only for professionals but...for everybody who for private or business reasons looks for an comprehensive and up-to-date source about the complete history of telecommunications." (@Alcatel, No. 2, 2004) “...a welcome addition to the literature about a pervasive force in modern society...recommended...” (Choice, Vol. 41, No. 5,  January 2004) "…exceptional for its coverage in time, technologies, geography…political, economic, and social contexts of the technologies and the people responsible for the technical advances." (IEEE History Center Newsletter, November 2003) "...a superb reference source...one reference book I will never throw away..." (New Scientist, 8 November 2003)