Some Growth

A recent notice concerning area codes:

When I was a kid, all of NYC was area code 212. In 1984, Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island were moved to the new 718 area code because 212 was running out of numbers. In 1992, the Bronx was also moved to 718. In 1992, 917 was assigned as an overlay for the whole city. In 1999, 646 was added as an overlay in the Manhattan. In 2011, 347 and 929 were added as overlays in the outer boroughs. And, per above, we now have 465 being added to the outer boroughs.

A seven-digit number allows for a little under ten million usable phone numbers. With every member of every family having a cell phone, and businesses using VOIP systems that assign a separate number to each extension, the rise in demand is inevitable, even with the numbers given back by the death of faxing. Anyway, here’s what things looked like in 1879:

Keep in mind, this map only shows buried cables, and until the Blizzard of 1888, most cables were in the air, on poles. Despite the legend giving three options, all of the lines are blue, for telephone and telegraph service. Telegraphs had been around since the 1840s, but the first telephone service in New York was all of three years old in 1879. Even before the blizzard it was obvious that buried lines would provide service with fewer interruptions than pole-mounted lines, and of course the business customers downtown are the ones who mattered.

The other two colors in the key are red and green. Red is listed as “electric light,” and there were several companies about to start provide services. The only red on the map is a power plant owned by the Unites States Illuminating Company (a Westinghouse subsidiary or ally, I’m not sure which), on Fulton Street between Church and Greenwich. Green represents the Edison Incandescent System, and again the only green is the Edison company power plant, on Pearl Street between John and Fulton.

It’s worth noting that the US Illuminating Company didn’t start selling electric light here until 1880, and Edison didn’t start selling electric light until 1882. Assuming the date on the map is accurate, they were showing two power plants that were still in construction. Note that the bridge also shows the Brooklyn Bridge, which didn’t open until 1883.