Evolution of the SBC and AT&T Brands: A Pictorial Timeline

A series of corporations controlling Alexander Graham Bell’s patent rights is organized beginning in As the result of the 956 1878. The first, Bell consent decree barring Telephone Co., is soon AT&T from engaging in SBC Communications Inc. superseded by National unregulated businesses, and AT&T embark upon Bell Telephone Co., which The first Bell logo is the company limits its AT&T acquires TCI and a historic industry merger, is replaced with American adopted by AT&T. Angus S. endeavors to special MediaOne, which form the marking the beginning of Bell Telephone Co. These Hibbard, the company’s projects for the federal foundation of assets that a new era of capability, firms supply telephones to general superintendent, Southwestern Bell government and to Southwestern Bell Corp. is become AT&T Broadband. innovation and their licensees across the conceived the design. In a Telephone Co. is formed. operating the national renamed SBC Communica- The globe symbol is convenience in global country, including the corporate reorganization, One year later, it adopts telephone system. The tions Inc. at its annual redesigned to convey communications and Southwestern Telegraph AT&T acquires the assets of the third Bell logo, fifth logo is installed for meeting of stockholders added dimension and entertainment services. and Telephone Co. (formed its parent, American Bell instituted with the words use by local Bell System and adopts a new logo. depth. The following year, In October, SBC announces in 1880), who, in turn, rent Telephone, and becomes “Bell System” placed inside companies in 1964, The five-state SBC region its network data traffic that the combined company them to local subscribers the new owner of the local the bell itself. The logo followed by the sixth includes Missouri, Oklahoma, will exceed voice traffic will be called AT&T, Inc. The (in this case, to Arkansas Bell operating companies design is eventually used and final Bell logo Kansas, Arkansas and Texas. for the first time. new AT&T logo was unveiled and Texas customers). nationwide. by all local Bell companies. in 1969. following the merger close in November 2005.

1885 1900 1939 1983 1997

1880 1889 1920 – 1921 1964 – 1969 1995 1998 2005

SBC Communications Inc. American Telephone and The second Bell logo is AT&T agrees to divest its completes its $16.5 billion Telegraph Co. (AT&T) is introduced to convey the local phone companies, purchase of Pacific Telesis established as a subsidiary growing interconnection and Southwestern Bell Corp. Group, capping the first of American Bell Telephone between local and long (SBC) is incorporated as one acquisition among the Co. Through a first-of-its- distance service. It is of seven regional holding regional holding companies. kind network, the firm adopted by the local Bell companies in anticipation The new company provides connects remote exchanges telephone companies, with The fourth Bell logo is of the AT&T divestiture and wireline and wireless and is popularly called “the their names appearing at inaugurated with minor retains the bell in its logo. services to seven states, long distance company.” the top within the double modifications to the including the nation’s two circle, including the typeface. In an era of most populous (California Southwestern Telegraph cutting innovation, AT&T and Texas). The stylized and Telephone Co. AT&T has taken telephone Pacific Telesis “access” remains the head of the service both transatlantic button is added to the Bell System until its (1927) and transpacific logo’s “B” to mark breakup 84 years later. (1934) and operates the the combination. country’s first example of To mark the restructure, a television (1927). By 1947, distinctive AT&T globe logo One year later, SBC AT&T will offer mobile is designed symbolizing a Communications Inc. will telephone service and world circled by electronic merge with Southern New enable the nation’s first communications. Later that England Telecommunica- broadband transmission year, in conjunction with tions Corp. in a $6.5 billion through installation of Ameritech, AT&T launches deal and, in 1999, will close coaxial cable in the the first commercial cellular a $75 billion acquisition of network. Its scientists will telephone system Ameritech Corp., extending develop the concept of in Chicago. its footprint to its current cellular telephony, as well total of 13 states and as invent the transistor. representing roughly one-third of the nation’s telephone lines.