Summary - TST 25

TRANSPORTES, SERVICIOS Y TELECOMUNICACIONES


Key Words: Telecommunication History, Telegraph Union, Switzerland, International Organizations.

[ Abstract ]

This paper analyses with new sources the early history of the Telegraph Union (today called the International Telecommunication Union) focusing on the political, diplomatic, economic and technical key role played by Switzerland in favouring its birth and in managing its structures during the ten years preceding and following its creation (1855-1875). The ITU’s history is a quite neglected topic in telecommunication history and the role of Switzerland in its formation and management has gone practically unnoticed by historians. This is surprising for at least three reasons: first, it was (and still is) the seat of the Bureau; second, until WWII the secretary was a Swiss citizen; finally, the Bureau was a body under the direct control of the Swiss government. Our main statement is that the political economy of Switzerland, based on neutrality, diplomacy, internationalism, technicality, influenced and addressed the origins of ITU.