Telecom at Two DNCs (1908-2008) Compared

Qwest Communications and the Telecommunications History Group have teamed up to compare the 1908 and 2008 Democratic National Conventions.

"Times have changed in the communications world since the last convention in Denver," said Herb Hackenburg, a founding member of the Telecommunications History Group, in a statement. According to this group, in 1908 the Colorado Telephony Company transmitted information from the convention to pre-selected customers using a private branch exchange (PBX) system, six service telephones, six telephone booths, six specially trained telephone operators, two long distance lines, telegraphs and Morse code.

Denver based-Qwest is the official telecommunications provider of this week’s events at the Pepsi Center and INVESCO Field at Mile High stadium and is providing 6,000 voice and data lines carrying news, videos, phone calls and other digital data to a global audience.