One of the most opinionated, provocative and fascinating websites I have ever seen

[skypigeon]

http://www.beatriceco.com/bti/porticus/bell/bell.htm

If after nearly 30 years you STILL think breaking up the Bell System was an incredibly stupid thing to do, this website is for you.

No, seriously. Even with the editorial slant, the historical perspective of this site is wonderful. It helps me appreciate why an 86-year-old aunt of mine spent her working lifetime with Indiana Bell (I think she retired right before the breakup). You can spend hours getting lost in this site's nostalgia.

Still--especially after the tribute to Mr. Berners-Lee at the Olympics--it's kind of hard to read this site's slant without a little bit of a smirk...

[NoviVespa]

My aunt worked in the Bell system in Illinois. She had a designation of Pioneer. Don't know what that really meant.

She had a sister who she didn't like, and when she got a drunk on the line, she would connect him to her sister.

[Hardscrabble]

My aunt worked in the Bell system in Illinois. She had a designation of Pioneer. Don't know what that really meant.

She had a sister who she didn't like, and when she got a drunk on the line, she would connect him to her sister.

Now that's funny...

[railroad]

My aunt worked in the Bell system in Illinois. She had a designation of Pioneer. Don't know what that really meant.

She had a sister who she didn't like, and when she got a drunk on the line, she would connect him to her sister.

My Mom was an operator for Southwestern Bell her whole career. She was also a Pioneer. It's an honorary society within the company. They have lunches and get togethers, etc.

[flyingpylon]

My grandfather worked for Bell for 42 years in Oklahoma and was also a Pioneer. For many years he managed a large Central Office and I can remember visiting one time as a young kid and being amazed at the zillions of individual wires running through the place and the sounds of mechanical switching equipment.

I can still remember all the times he would say "Worst thing they ever did was break up Bell Telephone..."