CEO Hall of Fame
Most Respected CEOs and CEO Hall of Fame

Theodore Newton Vail
ATandT - A Telecom Giant - (1845-1921)

"I succeeded..by never being unwilling, when young, to do another man's work, and then, when older, by never doing anything somebody else could do better for me." (Theodore N. Vail)

Key Work

• Worked for the U.S. government reforming the postal delivery system.
• Joined Bell Telephone Co.
• Secured control of Western Electric Co.
• Sees The opportunity in new technology. Incorporate of American Telephone and Telegraph Company.
• Resigns as president of ATandT
• Recalled as president of ATandT.
• Buys control of Western Union Telegraph Company
• Forced by Justice Department to dispose of Western Union stock.
• ATand T is still a US Telecom Giant

Books and References:

• The telephone book : Bell, Watson, Vail and American life, 1876-1976 / H. M. Boettinger ; special photography by Richard A. Steinberg ; design by Ray Ripper, 1876-1976. Newmarket, Ontario: Riverwood Publishers, 1977.
• Paine, Albert Bigelow. In One Man's Life: Being Chapters From The Personal And Business Career Of Theodore N. Vail. London: Harper and Brothers, 1921.

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