History of ADT From delivering telegraphs by foot to keeping a watchful eye on a business thousands of miles away, the growth of ADT is one of this country's most remarkable and deep-rooted business success stories. Here is a brief history of the world leader in security. For more information on any topic, click the appropriate link. |
| | Telegraph dominates communications. |
| | American District Telegraph (ADT) is formed through the affiliation of 57 district telegraph delivery companies. |
| 1880s | Call boxes (electric signal devices) allow interactive communication between customers and ADT.
Messenger service is an important element in ADT's success. |
| | Advanced Call Boxes and multi-signal electric protection systems move ADT to a position of prominence in security protection.
Electric signal devices available in 50 towns. Messenger service accounts for 70% of ADT's revenues. |
| | Messengers often double as watchmen, or "roundsmen." Their signal timers are monitored at ADT central offices. |
| | ADT becomes a subsidiary of Western Union.
Signal service and messenger service separated. |
| | Western Union and ADT come under the control of AT&T. |
| | ADT makes advances in security technology. |
| | ADT automates security systems. |
| Post War | |
| | ADT becomes a publicly owned company with its stock listed on the NYSE. |
| | New, fast computer-driven technology, including first solid-state device and installation of first large, two-way multiplex proprietary system.
First automated Central Station — a direct forerunner of today's Customer Monitoring Center network. |
| | ADT's 100th anniversary. Micro-computer based security systems now in use. |
| 1981 | Safewatch® residential system introduced. |
| | ADT increases its technological lead within the security industry. |
| Late 1980s | ADT formally changes its name from American District Telegraph Company to ADT. |
| | ADT purchased by the Hawley Group, Ltd., and renamed ADT Security Systems, Inc. U.S. headquarters relocated from NYC to Parsippany, N.J. |
| 1988 | Safewatch® Custom system launched. |
| | Wireless Safewatch® introduced.
Focus® System introduced. |
| | Company passes the one-million-customer milestone. |
| | ADT, Ltd., acquired by Tyco International Ltd. |
| | Today, and in the future, ADT remains committed to providing peace of mind and unsurpassed customer service in the protection of homes, businesses, and the government. |
The Late 1800s:
In the late 1800s, the telegraph — as created by Samuel F.B. Morse and developed for commercial use by Alfred Vail — was king of communications. Messages were composed in a customer's office, written out and delivered by hand to a local district telegraph office.
There, the messages were coded for swift transmission over telegraph lines to the receiving district's office, where they were decoded, transcribed and carried to their destinations by young boys.
Many telegraph delivery companies came into existence during the late 1800s, and since each company served only its own particular region, they were known as "district" companies.
1874:
In 1874, 57 diverse "district" telegraph delivery companies merged to create the new American District Telegraph Company — the forerunner of today's ADT.
1890s:
With the advent of advanced Call Boxes and multi-signal electric protection system in the early 1890s, ADT became a preeminent security protection company.
The multi-signal Call Boxes allowed watchmen at businesses to do more than just signal for police or fire department assistance — they could now also send a specific signal to the ADT office, at designated times, to let the monitoring office know that all was well.
If a district office didn't receive its scheduled signal, something was assumed amiss, and help was dispatched.
By 1899, electric signal services were still only available in 50 towns, though messenger services were widespread throughout more than 500 localities.
Early 1900s:
Signal-monitoring operations were by this time often run by employees recruited from the established messenger services. These messengers often also doubled as watchmen or "roundsmen," who both delivered messages and checked on property on a pre-ordained schedule.
1901:
In 1901, ADT was incorporated as a subsidiary of Western Union. Still, since each of ADT's 57 district companies had developed independently, the many offices of the security company operated at a variety of levels, with different systems, equipment, and operating practices.
To begin to correct these incompatibilities, ADT separated its messenger services from the signal business. It was the signal operations that were to eventually become the ADT we know today.
1909:
In 1909, Western Union (and ADT) came under the control of AT&T, whose company policies and organization changed the ADT organization. In 1910, AT&T President Theodore N. Vail took the reins at AT&T, and as a result, ADT concentrated fully on the signal business.
1910-1930:
In a very short time, ADT became synonymous with emergency call systems, making important additions to its respected line of burglar, holdup and fire alarm systems. Technical advancements contributed heavily to company growth, and by the late 1930s, ADT was a leader in its field.
War Years:
As more and more young men were called to the armed services, the resulting domestic manpower shortage drove the demand for new and better protection systems that would not only detect problems, but signal an alarm automatically. Because ADT provided a unique integration of systems and services, it was a logical step for the company to create these automatic services. As a result, the company pioneered developments such as the Teletherm automatic fire detections system, the Telewave automatic intrusion system, and other advancements.
Post War
1969:
As ADT began to turn its attention toward the international market, it became a publicly owned company in 1969 and its stock was listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
Early 1970s:
Newer, faster technology was the watchword of the seventies, which ushered in the company's first solid-state device and the installation of the first large, two-way multiplex proprietary systems. This was followed by the first ADT automated Central Station — a direct forerunner of today's highly sophisticated, integrated Customer Monitoring Centers network.
1974:
ADT celebrated its 100th anniversary, and by that time, powerful micro-computer-based security systems had replaced the old telegraphic Call Boxes.
1980s:
With the unveiling of the Unimode fire system in 1980, to the first CentraScan computer-based proprietary security system, through the introduction of the Safewatch® residential systems, the eighties were ADT's decade of leveraging its technological edge to the fullest corporate advantage. It was also during the eighties that ADT inaugurated central station monitoring, which would become the backbone of its future success.
1987:
In 1987, ADT was purchased by the Hawley Group, Ltd., and renamed ADT Security Systems, Inc. The U.S. headquarters were relocated from New York City to Parsippany, N.J.
Early 1990s:
The nineties continued the technological breakthroughs of the eighties, with the introduction of such products and product lines as the groundbreaking wireless Safewatch® systems, including the Plus RF and the Custom RF models; the state-of-the-art integrated Focus® system line, and a variety of access control and closed circuit television (CCTV) products.
Mid 1990s:
By the mid-1990s, ADT reached a high-water mark in its history by adding more than 180,000 new customers to surpass the one-million-customer milestone. And in 1996, the company changed its name to ADT Security Services, Inc., and relocated its headquarters from Parsippany, N.J. to Boca Raton, Florida.
1998:
In early 1998, ADT, Ltd. was acquired by Tyco International Ltd. Today, ADT has residential and commercial coverage in about 230 major U.S. markets.
ADT in the 21st Century:
Today, and in the future, ADT remains committed to providing peace of mind and unsurpassed customer service in the protection of homes, businesses, and the government.
