On This Day In Telephone History January 28TH, 1878, George Coy, Herrick P. Frost, and Walter Lewis launched the District Telephone Company of New Haven. This was World 's first commercial telephone exchange. It was located in a rented storefront office of the Boardman Building at the corner of Chapel and State Streets in New Haven, CT. Upon opening for business, the District Telephone Company had 21 subscribers. At the time, telephone service cost $1.50 per month. Amongst the first stores to sign up for the exchange were the New Haven Flour Co., New Haven Folding Chair Co. and the American Tea Co. Coy, Frost and Lewis were among the first private homes connected to the exchange.

On This Day In Telephone History January 28TH 1878

by
On This Day In Telephone History January 28TH, 1878, George Coy, Herrick P. Frost, and Walter Lewis launched the District Telephone Company of New Haven. This was World ‘s First Commercial Telephone Exchange. It was located in a rented storefront office of the Boardman Building at the corner of Chapel and State Streets in New Haven, CT. Upon opening for business, the District Telephone Company had 21 subscribers. At the time, telephone service cost $1.50 per month. Amongst the first stores to sign up for the exchange were the New Haven Flour Co., New Haven Folding Chair Co. and the American Tea Co. Coy, Frost and Lewis were among the first private homes connected to the exchange.