HELLO…..HELLO….First Transatlantic Telephone Call January 7th, 1927

“How’s the weather over in London?

The first official transatlantic telephone call on January 7, 1927, was a truly monumental event, bridging continents and heralding a new era in global communication. Here are some fascinating details about the call:

Walter S. Gifford: President of American Telephone and Telegraph Company (AT&T); Sir Evelyn P. Murray: Secretary of the General Post Office of Great Britain all were present during this historical moment. 

The call wasn't simply transmitted by wire! It relied on a complex combination of technology:Undersea cables: Carried the signal from New York to Newfoundland. Radio waves: Transmitted the signal across the Atlantic Ocean from Newfoundland to England. Landlines: Carried the signal to London from the receiving station.

The call lasted about 3 1/2 minutes. Both Gifford and Murray made pre-prepared speeches, emphasizing the historic significance of the event and its potential to bring peoples closer. Gifford famously declared, "Mr. Murray, I can hear you perfectly," marking the culmination of years of hard work and technological innovation. Although the sound quality was far from perfect (distorted and echoing), the call proved the viability of transatlantic communication, paving the way for future improvements.

The success of the call ushered in the era of commercial transatlantic telephone service, launched later in 1927.It had a profound impact on global business, diplomacy, and personal communication.

 A test call actually occurred on January 6th, with a less formal tone and featuring the prophetic statement, "Distance doesn't mean anything anymore."The cost of a three-minute transatlantic call in 1927 was $150!

The recording of the call is preserved in the National Recording Registry of the Library of Congress, serving as a historical testament to this technological breakthrough.