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JLW Zietlow - South Dakota Telephone Pioneer

An early telephone network to rival the Bell system was established in Aberdeen, SD.

Aired 03/06/2025 | Rating TV-G

Images of the Past

JLW Zietlow - South Dakota Telephone Pioneer

Season 9 Episode 7 | 10m 25s

An early telephone network to rival the Bell system was established in Aberdeen, SD.

JLW Zietlow was a leader in the early days of telephone communication. He came to Dakota Territory in the 1880s, established a phone company in Aberdeen, and by the 1900s, led one of the nation's largest regional telephone companies. Zietlow's hardware and system engineering innovations made him a worthy rival and competitive threat to the massive Bell system of the day.

Aired 03/06/2025 | Rating TV-G

Images of the Past is a local public television program presented by SDPB

Support is provided by the Friends of SDPB

Images of the Past

JLW Zietlow - South Dakota Telephone Pioneer

Season 9 Episode 7 | 10m 25s

JLW Zietlow was a leader in the early days of telephone communication. He came to Dakota Territory in the 1880s, established a phone company in Aberdeen, and by the 1900s, led one of the nation's largest regional telephone companies. Zietlow's hardware and system engineering innovations made him a worthy rival and competitive threat to the massive Bell system of the day.

Aired 03/06/2025 | Rating TV-G

How to Watch Images of the Past

Images of the Past is available to stream on pbs.org and the free PBS App, available on iPhone, Apple TV, Android TV, Android smartphones, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire Tablet, Roku, Samsung Smart TV, and Vizio.

Images of the Past is a local public television program presented by SDPB

Support is provided by the Friends of SDPB

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