Milestone Events Making Sprint History: 1899 - 1989

1800

1899

Cleyson L. Brown organizes the Brown Telephone Company in Abilene, Kansas. This company's evolution over the next century creates the industry leader and global innovator known as Sprint

1900

1942

Sprint's name is changed from Brown Telephone Company to United Utilities

1961

United Utilities stock splits 2 for 1 on April 6

1965

United Utilities stock splits again 2 for 1 on January 25

1972

Sprint's name is changed from United Utilities to united Telecommunications

1976

After decades of expansion, the diversified $1 billion company (then called United Telecommunications or United Telecom) serves more than 3.5 million local telephone lines coast-to-coast

1984

Plans are announced for the first nationwide 100% digital fiber optic network, which is completed in 1987

1986

The Company launches long distance service under Sprint brand name. The famous "pin drop" commercials boost brand awareness and corporate image

The long distance division, now known as Sprint, completes the nation's first coast-to-coast fiber optic transmission

1988

Sprint wins a major share of the FTS2000 contract for the U.S. government's advanced telecommunications system

Sprint becomes the first long distance carrier to install Signaling System 7 throughout its network

1989

Sprint's first transatlantic fiber optic phone call is also an industry first

Sprint stock splits two-for-one on December 28