Western Union was founded in 1851 by Hiram Sibley as the New York and Mississippi Valley Telegraph Printing Company.
In 1855, Sibley merged with Ezra Cornell’s telegraph company to form Western Union.
In 1861, the first transcontinental telegraph was introduced.
In 1871, a money transfer service was launched.
In 1884, the company was one of the original 11 stocks in the Dow Jones Industrial Average.
In 1914, the first customer charge card is introduced.
In 1933, the first singing telegram is delivered.
In 1974, the company introduces the first commercial satellite in the world.
In 1980, the company’s money transfer business was more profitable than the telegram business for the 1st time
In 2001, the company had over 100,000 agent locations worldwide
In 2006, telegram service was discontinued.
Today, Western Union handles over 150 million consumer to consumer money transfers annually. They also handle over 250 million bill pay transactions annually.
Western UnionWestern Union was founded in 1851 by Hiram Sibley as the New York and Mississippi Valley Telegraph Printing Company.
In 1855, Sibley merged with Ezra Cornell’s telegraph company to form Western Union.
In 1861, the first transcontinental telegraph was introduced.
History
In 1871, a money transfer service was launched.
In 1884, the company was one of the original 11 stocks in the Dow Jones Industrial Average.
In 1914, the first customer charge card is introduced.
In 1933, the first singing telegram is delivered.
In 1974, the company introduces the first commercial satellite in the world.
In 1980, the company’s money transfer business was more profitable than the telegram business for the 1st time
In 2001, the company had over 100,000 agent locations worldwide
In 2006, telegram service was discontinued.
Today, Western Union handles over 150 million consumer to consumer money transfers annually. They also handle over 250 million bill pay transactions annually.
