Spanning the entire history of electrical communications, this book tells the story of the many events and breakthroughs that took place from the creation of the telegraph 150 years ago to the dynamic modern, world of the Internet and interactive TV. As a veritable case study in how advances in technology cause societal and industrial change, this story provides insight into the current turmoil in the information and entertainment industries. Its characters include the technologists, the entrepreneurs, the litigators, anti-trust lawyers, and regulators who influenced the course of progress. This book will be of interest to anyone who has a stake in the information age.