- Ticker History
- Posts
- The first DM, iPhone Debut & AOL/ Time Warner: This Week in Ticker History
The first DM, iPhone Debut & AOL/ Time Warner: This Week in Ticker History
Every stock has a story. Welcome to Ticker History
If you’re into numerology, 2025 is an interesting year.
It’s the first perfect square year since 1936… 452 = 2025… and (20 + 25)2 = 2025.
Even better, (1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 + 7 + 8 + 9)2 = 2025
If you want more, 13 + 23 + 33 + 43 + 53 + 63 + 73 + 83 + 93 = 2025.
What does this mean for you?
Well… probably nothing, if we’re being honest. But it’s certainly unique.
It’s shaping up to be a great year. Stay bullish.
Own a piece of Wall Street history. Check out the Ticker History Shop for stock certificates from your favorite companies.
A word from our sponsor
Fueled for Fortune
Wired's "rocket fuel of AI" label has Wall Street buzzing. Projections skyrocketing to $80 trillion, akin to 41 Amazons, signal a seismic shift. But here's the kicker: astute investors have a shot at riding the wave with a company primed for supremacy. Dive into The Motley Fool's exclusive report for your front-row seat.
January 6, 1838: Samuel Morse Sends The First Ever DM 📅
On this date, Samuel Morse showed off his telegraph system along a two-mile stretch of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad near Morristown, New Jersey.
Morse transmitted a message using a wire laid alongside the railroad tracks, showcasing the reliability of his system for long-distance communication.
The message: “A patient waiter is no loser.”
A major obstacle to the mass adoption of the telegraph was the placement of communication lines. The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, one of the most innovative railroads of the time, allowed Morse to run the necessary equipment adjacent to their tracks, a solution that gave unobstructed coverage over the distance needed.
This proved the telegraph could operate over long distances and that railroads could provide the infrastructure for deploying this new technology.
The success of the 1838 demonstration not only validated Morse’s invention but also attracted interest from investors and government officials, paving the way for the construction of the first long-distance telegraph line between Washington, D.C., and Baltimore in 1844- parallel to an existing railroad track.
Morse’s system used to send telegraphs consisting of long and short pulses of electrical waves (better known and dots and dashes) would later become standardized internationally as Morse Code.
 A promotional pamphlet for the telegraph |  Morse shows off his invention to curious onlookers |
Around the same time, Cornelius Vanderbilt, then an owner and operator of steamboats, would pivot to buying and consolidating railroads after seeing the opportunities made possible with railroad tracks and telegraph lines.
A political cartoon from the late 1830’s showing Vanderbilt buying and merging railroads.
What Happened Next In Railroads? 📅
January 7, 1853 The first train safely passes through the Thames Tunnel in London, a major breakthrough for underground rail construction. |
 |
May 10, 1869 The last rail of the Transcontinental Railroad is laid at Promontory Summit, Utah, in a “Golden Spike” ceremony. |  |
November 18th, 1883 Time zones are universally adopted across the United States to standardize schedules and avoid train crashes in what became known as the “Day of the Two Noons”. |  |
February 2, 1888 The first electric trolley is introduced in Richmond, Virginia, creating a model for urban streetcar systems around the country. |  |
January 22, 1913 Grand Central Terminal opens in New York City, becoming a landmark of urban railroad architecture and design. |  |
Railroads accelerated the advancement of many technologies that had faced slow adoption previously. In addition to the above, railroads made tourism accessible to everyday Americans and made the idea of “suburbs”, a middle ground between rural and urban areas, possible.
January 9, 2007: Apple Officially Debuts The iPhone 📅
Announced by Steve Jobs at the Macworld Conference in San Francisco, the iPhone was a groundbreaking device that combined a mobile phone, an iPod, and a web browser into one. Its 3.5-inch display eliminated the need for physical keyboards, setting it apart from competitors like BlackBerry and Nokia.
Within 74 days of its launch on June 29, 2007, Apple sold over 1 million iPhones (4GB for $499 and 8GB for $599), an unprecedented achievement for a first-generation device.
By the end of 2008, Apple had sold over 6 million units of the original iPhone, and the launch of the App Store that year further revolutionized the mobile ecosystem.
By 2023, the iPhone had sold more than 2 billion units worldwide, cementing its legacy as one of the most influential products in history.
What Else Happened This Week In Business History? 📅
January 9, 2001 Six years to the day before announcing the iPhone, Apple and Jobs debuted iTunes, changing the way people bought and listened to music forever. |  |
January 8, 1991 Pam Am Airlines, struggling financially for years, declares bankruptcy. Terrorist attacks and threats hurt consumer confidence, and they never came back. |  |
January 11, 2013 Dell Computers goes private in a then-record $24.4 billion buyout by founder Michael Dell and Silver Lake Partners. Dell would re-IPO five years later. |  |
January 9, 2018 Kodak, the once powerful film company, re-emerges from bankruptcy to launch KodakCoin, a cryptocurrency meant to help photographers integrate blockchain technology. |  |
January 10, 2000 America Online announces it will be buying Time Warner for $182 billion in cash and debt, the largest acquisition in corporate history. |  |
This Just In 📅
Looking Forward 📅
That’s old news. What can we look forward to this week?
We’re down to four teams in the CFB Playoffs. All four teams with byes were knocked out, and the highest seed left is a five seed. If you’re a fan of Penn State, Ohio State, Texas, or Notre Dame, good luck.
Delta Airlines and Walgreens release earnings on Friday 1/10.
Nosferatu is out in theaters and receiving good reviews. If your partner isn’t into that, check out Wicked or The Brutalist.
Squid Game season 2 is out on Netflix.
Wishing you luck this trading week. May your puts print, your calls cash in, and always, Stay Bullish.
Like what you read? Don’t forget to comment, subscribe, and share with a friend! |
Own a piece of Wall Street history. Check out the Ticker History Shop for stock certificates from your favorite companies. |
Reply