[GreenKeys] Bell Labs - Science and Innovation

[Larry DeSoto]

When I worked at WECo and later BTL, I worked on SOSUS.  I probably spent 
more time on navy bases than a lot of people in the navy.  Negative comments 
about Bell not withstanding, unlike some contractors, I was never 
embarrassed  to represent Bell.  I'm proud of the work BTL and WECo did for 
the military and I'm proud to have been a small part of it.

Larry - WA5MLH

--------------------------------------------------
From: "DR HOUSE" <k9tty at dls.net>
Sent: Tuesday, February 28, 2012 10:54 AM
To: <greenkeys at mailman.qth.net>
Subject: [GreenKeys] Bell Labs - Science and Innovation

> Larry DeSoto has come close to reality.
>
> Bell Labs was part of the Bell System but so was Teletype Corporation.
> Both of these so-called subsidiaries operated as independent companies.
>
> This arrangement allowed for much simpler accounting and customer focus.
> Similarly Western Electric was funded by it's customers, not just by
> telephone bills.
> One former Bell entity that still comes close to it's original purpose
> is Sandia Labs.
>
> A major portion of the systems on our U.S. Navy P2V Neptune was
> developed
> by Bell Labs and manufactured by Western Electric.  These two companies
> also supported the submarine service and the monitoring of most of the
> oceans
> and seas in the world.
>
> The bottom line here is that the cost of the telephone call did not
> pay for most
> of the important work of Bell Labs.  You have to include the DOD,
> NASA, CIA,
> NSA and others who paid their share.
>
> It is also interesting to note that by January of 1983, over 70
> percent of equipment
> purchased by Illinois Bell, then the largest revenue generator in the
> Bell System,
> was purchased from companies other than Western Electric. We pretty
> much used
> WECo for stocking, distribution and repair of older systems.  WECo
> also had much
> expertise in installation and maintenance.
>
> After divestiture expertise was thrown out the window and the lowest
> bidder or a
> minority contractor had to be selected for installation and
> maintenance.  This led
> to doubling the technical support forces within the operating
> companies and also
> led to the major central office fire at the Hinsdale, Illinois toll
> center.
>
> Bell Labs was a real bargain when you remember the pure science and
> ultimate
> discoveries made at the Labs.  A good book is Bell Labs... Life in the
> Crown Jewel.
>
> I was part of the Bell System and am very proud of my Bell service,
> second
> only to my service to our country in the U.S. Navy.
>
> Don R House
> Communications Serviceman - Special Services
> Data Test Center Foreman
> Special Service Circuit Designer
> Data Transmission Engineer
> Network Systems Engineer
> Senior Technical Manager
> Senior Member Technical Staff
> Now Retired...
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> GreenKeys mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/greenkeys
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:GreenKeys at mailman.qth.net
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html