Abstract
This paper aims to rethink the early history of the Telegraph Union (today called the International Telecommunications Union) focusing on the political, diplomatic, economic and technical role played by Switzerland 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, which is surprising for three reasons. First, Switzerland was (and still is) the seat of the Bureau. Second, up to World War II, the Bureau’s secretary was a Swiss citizen. Finally, the Bureau was placed under the direct control of the Swiss government. Our main statement is that the political economy of Switzerland (based on neutrality, diplomacy, internationalism, and technicity) influenced the origins of ITU.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
