Bell Telephone Laboratories, Incorporated: 1925-1984 New Jersey’s innovation factory

Abstract

Bell Telephone Laboratories, Incorporated (BTL), the Research and Development arm of AT&T is well known for its contributions to basic science in the field of communications. Another important mission of BTL was the initiation, development and introduction to manufacture of communications equipment that provided AT&T customers with the most advanced and reliable communication services. This article will review the history of Bell Telephone Laboratories, Incorporated - also known as Bell Labs -- and its place in the Bell System; describe some the significant innovations and discoveries that came from Bell Labs; and discuss the factors that made Bell Labs so innovative.