Our history

We have an extraordinary legacy of innovation since 1865. From the first transistor to the first satellite, our inventions have helped to shape a world full of digital potential. We’re still constantly innovating, creating technology that helps the world act together and putting the world's people, machines, and devices in sync.

Our brand evolution

Adapting and responding to the needs of an ever-changing world is in our DNA, with over 155 years of successful reinvention.

Defining moments

Changing the world, one invention at a time

2010s

Moon lander on surface of moon with the Earth in the distance

2020
Network on the Moon

Began creating the first network on the Moon.

2014
Massive MIMO

We develop the concept of the Massive MIMO, which is now a foundational technology in 5G with great improvements in efficiency.

Diagram of contiguous, colored hexagons to represent self-organizing networks

2010
Self Organizing Networks

We create Self Organizing Networks that can automatically make adjustments to optimize and adapt to changes in the system.

2000s

Photograph of photonic integrated circuits

2009
Photonic Integrated Circuits

We create Photonic Integrated Circuits, which enable reductions in power consumption, size and cost for optical networking equipment.

2006
Softrouter

We develop the Softrouter, which allows easier deployment and scaling of new services using exposed network capabilities.

Close up of multiple-input and multiple-output circuit and chip

2001
MIMO

We invent MIMO - which allows for greater throughput without increasing power or bandwidth requirements.

1990s

1992
NZDF Optic Fiber

We invent a new type of optical fiber, Non-Zero Dispersion Fiber (NZDF), that becomes widely deployed in intercontinental and long-haul terrestrial networks.

Engineeer in laboratory looking at equipment

1991
Microlaser

Bell Labs researchers build and operate the world’s smallest semiconductor lasers - ‘microlasers’.

Black and white photograph of man in suit making a GSM call

1991
GSM call

The world’s first Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) call is made using Nokia equipment.

1980s

Engineer adjusting electronic equipment in laboratory

1989
Neural Networks

At Bell Labs, Yann LeCun and Larry Jackel develop Convolutional Neural Networks, a class of deep, feed-forward artificial neural networks.

Two engineers conducting solition test on fiber optic cable

1988
Solitons World Record

We break records by sending unique light pulses, called solitons, through 4,000km of optical fiber, without electronic regeneration.

1983
C++ Language

We advance Dennis Ritchie’s original C programming language to become C++ Language - a flexible programming language for large-scale data processing systems.

1970s

Man examining cellular aerials on a building roof in a city

1978
Cellular Phone System

Two-thousand customers participate in the first public trial of a cellular phone system designed and developed by Bell Labs.

Workmen unreeling optical cable from reel in back of truck

1977
Connecting Chicago

The first Bell System optical telephone communication system is installed under the streets of Chicago, each fibre pair carries the equivalent of 672 voice channels.

Front page of "The C Programming Language" manual

1972
C Language

Bell Labs’ Dennis Ritchie develops C Language, arguably the most widely used programming language of all time, allowing for the coding of applications.

1960s

Software engineer working at network terminal

1968
UNIX OS Software

We develop UNIX OS - a simple but elegant time-share software system for minicomputers, which can be found in most of the world's internet services and cell phones.

Needle recording vibrational activity on squared paper roll

1965
The Big Bang Theory

Our scientists confirm the Big Bang.

Telstar satellite under construction on laboratory bench

1962
Telstar 1

Bell Labs and NASA launch Telstar I - the world’s first active orbiting communications satellite to connect the globe through live transmission.

1950s

Two scientists in laboratory working on laser equipment

1958
Lasers

We invent lasers - which revolutionizes not only the communications industry, but also many other global processes.

Man standing below pole-mounted solar collector

1954
Solar Battery

We create the the Bell solar battery, the first successful device to convert the sun's energy into substantial amounts of electricity.

Claude Shannon placing robotic mouse in maze

1950
Birth of AI

Renowned Bell Lab’s researcher, Claude Shannon, creates a pioneering prototypical AI device (a robotic mouse named Theseus) that can self-navigate a maze through automated switching.

1940s

Claud Shannon working on mainframe computer component

1948
Information Theory

Claude Shannon develops Information Theory at Bell Labs, which lays the groundwork for all digital communications going forward.

1947
Transistor

We invent the transistor - developed as a replacement for vacuum tubes, the tiny device later revolutionizes the entire electronics industry.

Man on passenger seat of open doored car with early mobile telephone

1946
Mobile Telephone

The first commercial mobile telephone service, developed by Bell Labs, launches.

1930s

Nokia Bell Labs’ Russell Ohl in lab coat

1939
Ion discoveries

Bell Labs’ Russell Ohl makes significant ion discoveries that ultimately lead to the development of the transistor and the solar cell.

Bell Labs Model I Relay Calculator (Complex Number Calculator)

1939
Digital Computer

George Stibitz of Bell Labs produces the first Binary Digital Computer, which can be operated from a distance over a telegraph circuit.

Karl Janksy, a radio engineer at Nokia Bell Labs

1933
Origin of the Universe

Karl Janksy, a radio engineer at Bell Labs, discovers the origin of the universe through his radio waves research.

1920s

Man demonstrating television transmission

1927
Birth of Television

Our research enables the first long-distance television transmission in the US.

Close-up view of recording turntable. Attendant views the record-cut through a microscope

1925
Movies with sound

We develop high-fidelity electrical sound recording, and our equipment is used to create the first full-length motion picture with synchronized sound.

Bell Telephone Laboratories' research scientists Clinton Davisson and Lester Germer

1925
Creation of Bell Telephone Laboratories

Bell Telephone Laboratories (now Nokia Bell Labs) is born from Alexander Graham Bell’s team of engineers and scientists, beginning a legacy of innovation that we carry on today.