Our Telephone Service
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Book and pictures courtesy of Roycroft Historian Robert Rust.
Our Telephone Service
by Elbert Hubbard, 1913
The book measures 8" x 6" and has
29 pages. This item is one of Elbert Hubbard's "Preachment Booklets" bound in
suede. The item was original published and distributed in
stiff paper wraps.
Theodore Newton Vail pictured above was the first
President of AT&T. He was born July 16, 1845, in Carrolton county, Ohio and was
educated in the old academy in Morristown. He then studied medicine with his
uncle, Dr. William Quinby and learned telegraphy at the telegraph office in
Headly's drug store in Morristown. Mr Vail left medicine and went to New York,
where he became manager of a local office, afterward attached to the staff of J.
C. Hinchman, then general superintendent of the metropolitan and eastern
divisions of The United States Telegraph Co.
After the invention of the telephone, The American Bell Telephone Co. was
organized by Gardiner G. Hubbard, father in
law of Prof. Alexander G. Bell. Mr. Hubbard believing Mr. Vail to be the right
man for the place, tendered him the position of general manager of The American
Bell Telephone Co.
Theodore Newton Vail, creator of the ATT monopoly, was the first cousin
once-removed from Alfred Vail, co-inventor of the telegraph and inventor of the
Morse Code. Mr. Vail established the long distance telephone service, he also
introduced the use of copper wire in telephone and telegraph lines. In 1888, Mr.
Vail retired from the telephone business after having occupied the managing
position for ten years.
